LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. l[i 

Chap. .L^'l^\ ^ 

^ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ^ 




^^4^€^^n^ 






HISTORY 



—OF THE— 



TOWN OF CONESUS 

LIVINGSTON 00., N. Y., 

FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT IN 1793, TO 1887, 



WITH A BRIEF 



illllMilML llOill 



OF THB 



CONESUS FAMILIES 



IB^- WILLI A^>1 I». ISO^^-O. 

Atdhor of The History of the Boyd Family ^'^ Etc. 



CONESUS, N. Y.: 

Boyd's Jok Printing Establishment. 

1887. 




This 

Volume is 

Tenderly Inscribed 

To THE Memory op Our 

Forefathers and Mothers, 

Who Settled the Little Town 



of 



CONESUS. 

I^ulhor. 



CONTENTS. 



Pagk. 

INTRODUCTION, 7 

CHAPTER I. 

The Description of the Town, .... 9 

CHAPTER II. 
The Indian Settlements, ..... 18 

CHAPTER III. 
The Sullivan's Campaign, 21 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Wild Animals, Etc. Etc., ... 89 

CHAPTER V. 

The Original Land Owners, .... 47 

CHAPTER VI. 

The First Settlements of the Town, . . .51 

CHAPTER VII. 

The Log Houses, Customs and Manners of the 
Early Settlers, 59 

CHAPTER VIII. 
The Routes of the Early Settlers, . . 66 



Page. 

CHAPTER IX. 

The Original Names of the Town, and the 
First Town Meeting, 70 

CHAPTER X. 

The Villages of Conesus, 75 

CHAPTER XI. 

The Churches and Religious Denominations, 88 

CHAPTER XII. 

The Schools and School Districts of the 
Town, Etc., 90 

CHAPTER XIII. 

The Cemeteries and Epidemics of the Town, 98 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The Storms, Floods, Fires, Etc., . . 104 

CHAPTER XV. 

The Railroad and Railroad Accidents, . 109 

CHAPTER XVI. 

The War Records of Conesus, Etc., . 115 

CHAPTER XVII. 

The Narratives and Historical Events, 1 27 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

The Genealogical History of the Town, 189 



INTRODUCTION. 



^|||PJ|HIS volume is designed to be a his- 
Js#% toi'y of the Town of Conesus, and to 
jjt-ij'/' t gather up the fading memorials of the 
J past, and transmit them to the gene- 

rations that will succeed us. A dozen years 
more, and a faithful history of the town can 
not be written, simply because the most of our 
pioneers will be gathered to the home of their 
fathers, and as there is no effort being made 
to preserve their recollection.^, they will soon 
pass into oblivion. 

This history — I must say — has been under 
my consideration since the year of 1868. x\t 
that time, I gathered together many sketches 
of the past, from those that have gone before us. 
These, I have preserved, while at the .same 
time, have added other items with them,, and 
now present the whole to you, for your kimi 
con.sideration. 

This volume, which now goes before the pub- 
lic, is a simple record, woven from .such ma- 
terial as could be gathered after no little 
labor, though in a manner somewhat desultory. 
Fidelity to truth, and justice to the character 
of individuals, has been my conscientious 
aim. It has been my intention not to give 
anything in this work, to reflect upon the char- 



actor of persons, or hurt the feelings of their de- 
scendants. Should there be an instance of that 
kind in the book, I humbley ask their pardon 
from unintentionly doing them an injury. 

When I connnenced this work, it was only 
my intention to give a simple history of the 
events of the town. But as I advanced, I 
was requested by a number of the town's peo- 
ple, to include a chapter of the different fam- 
ilies of the town. So, after due consideration, 
I consented, and prepared one, and give it in 
the back part of this book. This is not com- 
plete in every respect, for a perfect one would 
make a volume of itself. But what I have 
given, is mostly from my memory, or from 
items 1 have come across from time to time, 
and in many instances may be — from the 
source they are obtained, — incorrect. 

Nearly two years I have been engaged in 
preparing this book. I would have you 
bear in mind, that within this time, I 
have set every letter, transposed every line, 
formed them into pages, printed them from 
presses of my own make ; and therefore, with- 
out doubt, there may be many mistakes, words 
spelled wrong, sentences discomposed, and 
many other typographical errors (as most of the 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



work has been done after dark, aud a hard 
days hibor on the " ()ld ftirm,") yet it will give 
a history of our early pioneers, and hold their 
names in the memory of the living, for years 
to come. 

ACKNOVVLEDGEiMEMT^^. 

I would express my deep obligations to all 
who have so kindly seconded my eiforts by cor- 
respondence, words of encouragement, and per- 
sonal assistance. 

To Messrs Bigelow & Brothers of Buffalo, 
N. Y., (Publishers,) for their kindness in al- 
lowing me the privilege of publishing the 
Journal of Major Norris on Sullivan's Cam- 
paign, found in this book. 

To Frank P. Shafer, for loan of papers and 
for other information from records kept by 
him. 



To my father — Hiram Boyd — for papers 
and statements taken in 1860. from the pio- 
neers then living. 

To the Town Clerks for the year of 1S84, 
and '85, for the privilege of searching the Town 
Clerk's office for records, and loan of books. 

To my wife, — Mary R. Boyd — for her assis- 
tance in the publication of this work. Aud in 
conclusion, I can but express the hope that the 
perusal of these pages may afford others as 
much pleasure, as their preparation and publi- 
cation have afforded me. 

WILLIAM P. BOYD, 
CoNESus, Jan. 1, 1887 




Ill iisf ill Of iiiiiiii. 



CHAPTER 1. 



§he §e^ct;iiiUon of th^ §awn. 



•' ;ir7:^^NESUS is a small townshi]), in tho 

. (f^. oastcrn part of Livingston County, N. 
i' ' "■■ . V. I'ciuided on the nortli by Livo- 

' ;• " nia : o;ist I13' (^iiiadice, 'Ontario (!n.); 
south by Si>riiig\\ater and Sparta; wpst by 
(xrovelnnd, and contains an area of nearly six 
miles square, or t':i;rty-six square miles, with 
almost tweuty-tl.ousand acres of fine agricul- 
tural lands, and a ] opulation in 1884 of about 
1800 human souls. 

The surface is broken by ranges of hills, with 
valleys running north and south across its sur- 
face. The largest of these hills, are the .Mar- 
rowback in the eastern part of the town. This 
range of hills is very steep upon its eastern 
slope, and along the shore of the Hemlock Lake 
is covered with tiuiber, which is fast giving 
away to the strong arm of civilization in being 
converted into " Summer Resort," by tourists 
from the small villages in Western New York. 
The western slope is not so steep, and the soil 
is of a clayish loam, and furnishes some of the 
finest grazing lands, that are found in the State. 

Marrowback Hills derived its name in the 
following singular way. In the early days of 
the town, the settlers had for amusement, gen- 
eral trainings, lasting several days at a time. 



One of these gala days as being lield near the 
present village of liivonia (Centre : and among 
the artistic sports, they formed a ring, and in the 
same, placed two of their most noted wrestlers, 
in "hors-de-combat." Oneof these lived near 
I^ima, the other was from Conesus or Marrow- 
back hills. After a severe struggle, the man 
from Marrowback threw his opjMHient, and td 
tlie merriment of all, a gentleman in the circle 
clapped his hands and exclaimed ' "That man 
has to much marrow-in-his-back for you." The 
black junk bottle was then passed ariunid, and 
these hills were christened" Marrowback hills." 
In the western part is funid what is called 
the "Turkey hills:" running about half way 
across the town. This hill is quite steep as it 
slopes westward towards Conesus lake. Along 
its base is found some of the most productive 
lands in the town. The eastern slope is not so 
steep, still it is composed of a fine soil, on the 
top it is more of a wet nature. This range of 
hills, are said to have derived their name from 
turkeys being stolen there, by or from the early 
settlers. Li the south part is a large hill in 
form of a flat-iron, with its point extending to- 
wards the centre of the town. This hill is not 
very steep, except on its western slope, as it 



10 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



extends towai'd the Head of the Lake flats. 
The soil of this hill, is of a clayish nature, and 
generally good for spring grain. 

Through the eastern part, is a large valley, 
known as the Calabogue Hollow. This valley 
was given that name many years ago, by John 
C. Coe of South Livonia, N. V. His meaning- 
was "a heedless place." The valley is quite 
narrow, and extends from the south line, liowsi 
to Conesus Center, and intersects with another 
small fertile valley running to tlie nortlieni line 
of the town. 

In the western part of the town is the Head 
of the Lake flats. This valley extends from 
Scottsburgh to Conesus Lake. The center of 
the valley is covered by a large swamp, which 
is impenetrable only in the winter or a dry sum- 
mer time, and is covered with timber. 

The valleys are of a black muckey loamy j 
soil very deep and productive for grass or grain. ; 

In the center are two large gulls running 
from north and south east toward Conesus 
Lake. The north one being the largest, af- 
fords drainage for all the lands in the northern 
part, and th" sontli one, the same for the 
waters of Calab;)gUvi Hollow. These (juUs 
are known as the 'Mill" and "Purchase 
Gulls;" the s )ut]i one being the former, and 
the north one the latter. The Purcliase gull, 
is deep and narrow, and many places the banks 
are nearly 100 feet, perpendicular in higlith. 
[t took its name from the original owner, who 
owned a grist-mill near its center. This gull 
is very winding, and at its mouth, it spreads 
out and forms the Foot's Corners flats. 

The Mill Gull, is also very deep, with high 
and steep banks. The narrowest place is at 
its head, where it spread out into the Calabogue 
hollow. Near the Grist-mill, the banks is 
nearly one hundred feet high. 

These two gulls, as they verge into the head 



of the lake flats, run side by side for many rods 
forming a narrow strip of land, about sixty or 
seventy feet high, nearly perpendicular, with 
only room on top, for a single foot path, which 
if the weary pedestrian, should lose his foot- 
hold, would soon launch him into eternity, on 
the rocks below. The top of this ridge is 
covered with timber; clinging to what little 
earih, aiid crevices in the rocks that i(s roots 
can penetrate. At the west end is formed a 
flat j)iece of land about half way up, of nearly 
an acre in extent. Covered over with second 
growth timber, and to-day bears the legion of 
being an old Indian burying-ground. The up- 
per end of the ridge expands out in a broad strip 
of flat land, towards Conesus Centi-e ; and this 
spot is called by the town people "Hogback." 

The rocks of these gulls are of a shallow slate 
which crumbles freely when exposed to the air. 
Thev are lined with layers of black stone, which 
is highly pregnated with carbon : and was used 
by the early settlers for back-st( nes in the 
chimneys of their dwellings. 

There are several smaller <.ulls in tlietoAvn; 
yet we liave not space to give a cduiplete descrip- 
tion of them in this work. All of them have a 
small stream of pure clear water running 

through them, which has diminished in size 

except in a rainy time since the country 

has come under the hands of civilization. These 
gulls furnish some of the finest scenery that 
can be found in the state. The soil of the town 
is of various formation. The top of the hills — 
as we have said — is of a clay loam ; often wet, 
and hard to till. Some of the smaller hills — 
mostly in the northern part — is a sandy loam, 
forming fine beds of gravel, and under the same, 
a eray sand, which is uiuch sought aftei- foi 
building purposes. On the flat-ircn hill, in sev- 
eral places the rock conies near to the surface of 
the ground, and is covered with a few leet of soil. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



n 



"Conesus has upon the east and west side, 
two small lakes, called Conesus and Hemlock. 
The foimer is upon the western and tlie latter 
on the eastern border. 

Conesus Lake is about nine miles loJig, and 
in many places, nearly a mile wide. The In- 
dian name lor the same is " (jra-nc-a-sos," 
signifying "always beautiful." This lake is a 
fine sheet of water, cold, clear and deep. li< 
shores are hold and wide with a fine gravelly 
bottom. Vet they are cleared of tlio dense 
forest that once surrounded them. The tuwn 
furnishes its inlet by a small stream through 
the swamp at the head of the lake, in connect- 
ion with Mill and Purchase gull creeks, which 
empties intu it at its head. Since its early 
discovery by the white-man, it has diminished 
in size, and several acres of valuable land has 
been secured by owners along its shores. Its 
water has sent several of our town people to 
their last home, of which we will speak more of 
hereafter. 

The Hemlock, like its sister lake is also a 
fine sh(!et of water, about seven miles long and 
three-fourhs (»r a ii.ile in width. It derived its 
name from the l;u-.;v number of hemlock trees 
that surround it. The water is very cold and 
clear. From this lake, the Rochester City ob- 
tains its water supply, which is carried from 
the lake to the city, in large iron pipes. Along 
the shore on the west side of the lake it is cov- 
ered with forest, and a large number of sum- 
mer cottages along the beach. 

These lakes are well stocked with fish, such 
as Rass, Trent. Pickeral, liuU-heads Suckers, 
Perch, Mullets, and otiier fresh water fish, and 
are protected by the laws of the state. Seines 
and Gill-nets are prohibited, and other kind of 
fishing devices, through certain parts of the 
year. The lakes have been well stocked with 
fish by the State, in the last few years. 



The timber of the town, arc of many species 
such as the Oak, Chestnut, Pine, Hemlock, Ju- 
niper, Hickory, Bass-wood, Elm, Sassafras, 
Poplar, Box-wood, Peppcrage, Cucumber, 
Maple, Beech, Burch, Ash, Cedar, Crab-apple, 
Thorn-apple, Butternut, Black-walnut, Cherry, 
and liutton-wood. The timber grows accord- 
ing to the soil. Upon the upland is founed the 
the Maple, Pine, Ba.ss-wood, Boi-ch, Beech, 
while in the northern part is found the Oak, 
Hickory, (Chestnut, Walnut, and the gulls and 
swam{is the Pine, Elm, Hemlock, and other 
sijecies of low-laud timber. 

When the early settlers caaie hei'e, they 
found the country heavily timbered, witii now 
and then a small piece of ground, that was 
called by them " Oak openings." These open- 
ings was without doubt in an early day used 
by the Indians, for their tillable lands. \\ huu 
the while-man came here, these lands, had on 
them, oidy the big trees, the smaii timber and 
uuderbrusli had disappeared. 

The timber has been a great blessing to 
our fore-fathers, yet it has be..'ii lo tiiem a great 
task in clearing their lands; aiiu to-uay where 
once stood a dense forest, inere can only 
be seen now and then a small belt of woodland 
that has been spared by tue woodmans ax. 

There are many places to-day, where the 
blackened earth denotes the past sight of an old 
coal-pit, burnt by the^^early settlers, to procure 
coal, to purchase comforts of life with. Hun- 
dreds of cords of wood has been consumed this 
way, or rolled up into a log heap, and destroyed 
to clear the lands of its dense foliage. The 
largest piece of woodland in town, is along the 
west shore of the Hemlock Lake, which consists 
of about five-hundred acres. 

'J he timber is of groat value in all kind of 
manufactured articles, especially the oak and 
hickory, which is considered to be of the finest 



12 



THE HISTOEY OP CONESUS. 



quality. It grows very tall, and of times many 
feet to the first limb. 

The mineral production of this town has nev- 
er reached to any value. Iron ore has been 
found on top of the ground, but no bed has 
been discovered to warrant the investment of 
capital to bring it before the civilized world. 

In the Purchase gull, veins of Antiu-acite 
Coal has been fouud of nearly an inch in thick- 
ness. Salt is supposed to underlie the town, 
by its numerous deer-licks, that was found here 
at an early date. 

Petroleum is thought to abound, by the 
strong odor of the same found in rocks in some 
of the gulls — this all remains a secret. 

Agricultural pursuits are of first class; Oats, 
Wheat, Corn, Barley, and Beans are the prin- 
ciple grain. Hemp, Flax, Ilye, has been grown 
to some extent. Fruit — such as Apples, Pears 
Peaches, Plums, Grapes, Cherries, Rasberries, 



Strawberries, Quinces and Mellons — are raised 
in large quanities. Garden fruit is exten- 
sively grown, in shape of Potatoes, &c. 

The climate of the town, is considered as 
fine as any part of New York ; but in late 
years, as the forests are being destroyed, the 
seasons have changes; Winter seems colder, and 
Sunuuers are shorter. Springs that once were 
never known to fail, has through the dry sea- 
sons of the year, gone dry. Winters are very 
severe, as there is nothing to break the cold 
sweeping winds and storms, from sending forth 
their full blast over the town. The waters of 
the town, is principly hard, caused by com- 
ing from the different kinds of rocks, which 
some are of a lime-stone formation. As for 
health, there is no place, that has as little sick- 
ness, fVoui epidemic diseases, as are found 
within lier precinct, in which her sister towns, 
has been subject to endure in the past. 



>- 




A Seneca Warrior. 



CHAPTER II 



//^ Indidii ^ptthmcntfi Sc, 




^.^iONESUS, — like her sister towns — was 
J-i^P once the home of the red-man. Here 
^ they roamed over her hills : hunted in 
her valleys ; plied their canoes on the 
blue waters of her lakes ; planted their corn and 
sang songs to the young papoose among the 
green trees of her forests. They are now gone. 
Yes, gone from here to the lands of their fore- 
fathers. 

In giving this chapter, we do not' intend to 
go far back into Indian history, as it would 
take too much space ; but only back to the time 
when the white-man found them here. This 
was in the fore-part of the sixteenth cen- 
tury. Here they found a large tribe, which 
was named by them, ^' Iroquoits," composed 
of five smaller tribes, known as the Senecas, 
Cayugas, Onondagas, Oiieidas and Mohawks, 
and was added to them the Tuscaroras of South 
Carolina, who had been defeated by the Caro- 
linas, in the year of 1712, and had emigrated 
to the north, and became members of the; con- 
federation in that year. 

When this confederation was formed, it is 
not known to the white-man ; but was in ex- 
sistence, when the French found them here, in 
1609. These are the proper Iroquoits ; and 



13 



shdiild be distinguished as such from the Hu- 
ron [i-o(|aoits. The name Iroquoit was given 
them liy the French. The Algonquins called 
tlicm .Alingos. They all occupied lands in the 
Middle and Western New York; and the 
names of towns and counties, denotes the places 
of their original settlement. Their great 
council-fire — where the leading men of each 
tribe met once a year-;-was held among the 
Onondagas, whose chief village was near the 
present sight of Syracuse, N. Y. These tribes 
were constantly in war-like excursions against 
the Savages in the east, south and west, whicli 
had reduced them to a state, that they were 
obliged to form this confederation, to protect 
themselves against their enemies. 

In 1817, they are siid to have numbeied 
forty thousand; but, at the present time, do 
not exceed three or four thousand. The most 
of these have been removed west of the Miss- 
issippi river. A number of the civilized In- 
dians, remains in New York, near the sight of 
their former home. 

The largest of these tribes, were the Sene- 
cas. Their chief-capitol town, was upon the 
Genesee flats, in the western part of Livingston 
County, New York. They occupied a large 



14 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



territory around them, and their chief village 
si said to have numbered over one-hundred 
houses. They had several smaller villages, in 
the country around them. 

The town of Conesus came within their jur- 
isdiction, and they had a fine village at the 
Head of Conesus Lake, but of how many houses 
it is not known ; this village seems to have been 
held for the purpose of fishing. The first that 
is known of this village is at the time of Sul- 
li van's expedition against them in 1779: of 
which Major Norris in his Journal of Sept. 13, 
1779, says : " Marched at 7 o'clock, (from 
Foot's Corners) proceeded two miles to a town 
called Kaneysas or Yucksea, consisting of 18 
houses, situated on an excellent intervale near 
a small lake where we found a large quantity of 
Corn, Beans, Squash, Potatoes, Cucumbers, 
Water Melons, t&c. &e., and in about this town 
the army halted four hours to distroy the 
Town, the corn, and to build a bridge over a 
Creek. At this town lived a very great noted 
warrior called the Great Tree, who has made 
great pretentions of friendship to us, and has 
been to Philadelphia and to General Washing- 
toii's Ilead-Qiiarters since the war comuienced, 
and has received a number of presents fvom 
(Jeneral Wasliington and from (/ongress : yet 
we suppixse that he is with Butler against us." 

The siglit of this town was a little south of 
the present residence of R. F. & B. F. McMil- 
len, upon an elevated piece of land, consisting 
<»f about one acre. The evidence is, that this 
was once a strong hold, or in other words, a 
stockade-fort. This may have taken place 
many years before Sullivan's expedition, and 
at that time, they may have moved nearer the 
lake. These forts were built by setting logs 
close togvtlicr with <iiio end in the ground, with 
the other extending ten or twelve feet out of 
the ground. Such forts were found in the east- 



ern states, at the time of their first settlements, 
and no doubt they once existed here. 

Inside of these palisades, were placed their 
huts, yet in no regular order ; and they occu- 
pied these villages for only a few years, on 
account of having no sanitary regulations, they 
soon became filthy, and they were obliged to 
move to some cleaner place. 

At this place, they had their coni-tields on 
the flats below, which they planted in mounds 
of some four or five feet in diameter, and raised 
nearly a foot high, and in hills of the same 
distance apart. Of-times they would have ten 
or twelve acres under this state of cultivation. 

They had a large apple orchard here which 
was distroyed by General Sullivan, September 
1 :>th 1779. Not many years since, there were 
trees standing, that had sprouted, and grown 
from the mutilated stumps, left by tlie above 
General. 

At this j)lace there were several Lidian trail- 
running to different parts of the country. One 
leading to the north, up the hill, a little mirth 
of Henderson hill, — near the residence of G. 
Griswold, — to Foot's Corners ; then up the 
hill north-east out of the town, near the Hart's 
School-house. This trail conducted General 
Sullivan into their midst. From the village 
it went west across the flats, up the Grovelaud 
hill to their village near the residence of the 
late Colonel x\bel ; on the Genesee flats. They 
may have had another one across the Head of 
the Lake flats, nearer the lake. The second 
trail ran up the hill back of their village, near 
the residence of the late L. B. Richardson ■ 
then in a south-east direction past the residence 
of David Coleman ; then on up through the 
Calabogue Hollow south to the Cohocton 
Valley. No doubt they had other trails lead- 
ing from their village, to other sections of 
the country, unknown to us. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



15 



Upon the main trail — near the present sight 
of Foot's Corners — no doubt they had a small 
village. This was near the present residence 
of Romeyne W. Cole. How large this settle- 
ment was, we have no knowledge of; and may 
have been kept here for the purpose (.f Iiunting 
through the level country north of their village. 
There could not have been any huts here, when 
Sullivan's army entered the town, as none of 
the Journals kept by the army, mentioned it: 
but, at the time of the first settlement here by 
the whites, they found several huts occupied 
by them, showing that this must have bcf'n one 
of the selected places. 

There may have been at one time in the town, 
more small villages, of which we have no record. 
The Indians would ofttimes settle at a place 
for a few summer months, and when the 
the cold winds of winter came, they would 
move to their larger villages. 

CusroM OK THE Sknkoa Indiana. 

It may be of interest to many of cmr read- 
ers, for us to give a short sketch of the custom 
and manners of the Indians found at the Head 
of the Conesus Lake, by the early settlers. 

After the invasion of G-eneral Sullivan's 
army, the Indians never returned and rebuilt 
up the town at this place, the same as it was 
before; but would come back through the sum- 
mer months, and build their huts for the pur- 
pose of fishing, and when the cold winds of 
winter came, most of them would go to their 
village, near Mount Morris, N. Y . 

The most of the history of the Indians around 
the Head of the Conesus Lake, I obtained from 
Mrs. Jame McNineh, who lived several years 
among them at the early settlement of the 
town. Ofttimes have I sat by her side in my 
younger days, and listened to her tales concern- 
ing the life of the red-man. 



The Indians built their huts in two shapes, 
round and oblong. The round one was con- 
structed by setting up poles, so as to form a 
peak at the top ; the oblong by laying a pole 
lengthway at the top, and then covering the out- 
side with bark and skins of animals, while in 
some there was a hole left at the top to let the 
smoke pass out, and an opening in the side for 
an entrance. Ofttimes they built their fires in 
front of the entrance if the hut was too small. 
Their huts were of different sizes. Some was 
ten or tvvelve feet across, and generally largo 
enough to hold a dozen persons. Th^ir chairs 
was the ground, and their beds were made the 
same way. When they slept, they always laid 
with their heads toward the fire, with their 
forms enwrapped in an Indian blanket, or skins 
of animals killed in the chase. 

Their cooking was done by hanging a kettle 
susjiended from three poles, set up over the 
fire, and in the same, they placed all tlieir food 
at once. 

Their bread — which they called " Equa," 
— was made from Indian meal (called Nath- 
assell) and beans mixed together, and boiled 
hi the kettle, with their meat and potatoes. 
As soon as this was done, it was taken out in 
a dish made of bark, in shape of a sap-trough, 
placing the salt on one end, on a chip. When 
this was ready, the family would assemble on 
the ground around the dish, and commence 
eating, by now and then taking a little salt in 
their wooden spoons, and swallowing it with 
their food. 

The Indians called wheat flour "Tassell"; 
pork " Cush ": butter " Wesaw." Anything 
they like " Cossh," and anything they dislike, 
" Tocossh." Money they ccmnted by holding 
up one finger, "One Shilling"; two fingers, 
"Two Shillings"; half a finger, a "Six- 
pence," &c. 



16 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



The dress of the men, consisted of having 
leggings made of broadcloth, reaching down 
to their knees; then with a short dress belted 
to the body at the waist, and i-eaching down to 
the knees, with an Indian blanket, doubled 
and thrown over the shoulder, extending down 
toward the feet, with a belt around at the waist. 
When they did not need the blanket around 
the shoulders, they would throw it off', and let 
it hang by the belt, or they could raise it and 
cover the head. Both the males and females, 
wore the blanket the same way, and moccasins, 
made of deer-skin, on their feet. 

While Mrs. McNinch was living in their 
midst, she was permitted to be present at sev- 
eral weddings, which the whites were seldom 
allowed to witness, as these ceremonies are con- 
sidered by them sacred. Their dress is siuji- 
lar to their every-day life; differing only by 
the bride and bride-groom having one blue and 
one red legging on the feet. 

The courtship is soine-what remarkable ; 
for when ever a young Indian wishes to call 
upon an Indian maiden, he goes to her hut, 
and in passing by, he throws his hat into the 
same, and if his hat is kept, he can enter, show- 
ing that his company is acceptable. If the 
hat is speedily returned, he is informed that 
his company is not acceptable, and lie must 
keep out . 

As soon as a child is horn, it is taken and 
wrapped in bandages of cloth, placed around 
its body and limbs, and then woollen cloth 
placed around this, to keep it warm. The child 
is then taken and placed with its back to a 
board, a little longer than its length, and wider 
than its width, and then bound to the same 
by bands made from strings cut from deer-skin, 
and kept in this j)()sitioii, lor a couple months, 
that it may grow .'straight. In carrying the 
child, the female always straps it to her back. 



In case of sickness, the Squaw done the med- 
ical services. Herbs were their chief medicine, 
and in the same, they seldom fail. In case of 
a fatal disease, or epidemic should break out 
among them, they held their Pow-wow to drive 
the evil spirit away. The hard labor and 
drudgery was all done by the females. They 
hoed the corn, planted the beans, and did 
the hoiisehold labor : the males did the hunt- 
ing; went forth in wars; held the war-dances, 
and tortured the victim. Ardent liquors, were 
the root of all evil among them, and when un- 
der its influence the whites all feared them, as 
it turned them into demons. It is said that 
Esq. Henderson,, was once assaulted by an 
Indian who threw his tomahawk at him when 
he went to his log house, and he would not give 
him any more whiskey. The scars were shown 
"by Mr. Henderson" to persons living at the 
present time, where it passed his head, and 
stuck quivering in the logs behind him. 

An Indian never forgot a kindness, but al- 
ways sought revenge for an injury. 3Irs. Mc- 
Ninch said : "When she came among them, 
there were but a few whites living on the flats 
at the head of Conesus Lake." They caused 
them much fear and troi^ble. When she first 
came there, she feared them, but soon learned 
to love them. She found them destitute of ket- 
tles 'o cook their food in, and many of the 
whites would nut lend them, which grieved the 
Indians, and caused them to hate them. But 
she would always accommodate them, and when 
they had got through using, would return the 
kettle, cleaned in their manner of cleaning, high- 
ly pleased. By her kind deeds, the Indian-^ 
soon learned to love her, and when they killed 
a deer or bear, they would select the most 
choice piece, and bring her. Ofttimes she would 
have more fresh meat tli:in she cruld iise, tlif^ii 
she would salt it down, and in some parts of 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



17 



the year, the Indians were unsuccessful in tlie 
chase, and came to lier for food : then slie would 
return it to thoiii again, causing them to be 
highly pleased by her generous acts. 

While living among them, Mr. and Mrs. 
.McNinch, had a large amount of sickness in 
their femily. The country being new, the 
air was very unheal thful, and she was 
subject to the fevers, and her children to the 
many other prevailing diseases of that time. 
Ofttimes Mrs. McNinch would be confined to 
her bed. No sooner than the news of her sick- 
ness spread through the Indian village, than the 
squaws would flock to her house, bearing un- 
der their arms, bundles of herbs to steep teas 
to doctor her with. After they had prepared 
the same, they would take it to her bed-side, 
and taste of it, before giving it to her, to show 
her that it was not poison. Sometimes she 
would take it tn please them; and at other 
times, when they had gone away, throw it out. 
Among the small children, there raged diseases 
that would baffle the whites; but, the Indian 
maidens were in most cases successful. 

The greatest fear of Mrs. McNinch, while 
living at the head of Conesus Lake, was on 
account of her children. Her husband being 
a miller, was constantly away from home, fol- 
lowing his vocation, and the children often 
played in the forest — and the Indians taking 
a liking for white children, which they some- 
times abducted — she feared they would be kid- 
napped by them, to adopt into their own fami- 
lies. The squaws came often to her house, 
and begged for the privilege of taking her small 
(•hildren to their camp, to play with their"pap 
ooses"as they called them. When the weather 
was pleasant, she would permit them to go, 
and at the aj)poirited time for their return — 
which slie watched with a mother's devotion — 
they were punctual to bring them back to her 



again and seenjod over-joyed at the honor shf 
had conferred upon them. 

Often in winter several of the Indian families 
would remain at the Head of the Lake during 
the cold weather, but when they did, they suf- 
fered sevendy with the cold by ntit having a 
warm shelter to protect them from the frosty 
wind. They would frequently come to Mrs. 
McNinch's house, and ask permission to stay 
with her through the night. Many times she re- 
tired to her bed, with five or six stalwart braves 
lying upon the floor, with their heads toward 
the fire, in slumber. Some one of their num- 
ber would rise at different intervals, through 
the night, and replenish the fire, as it would 
require it, and then repose his dusky form again 
among his comrades. Had Mrs. McNinch been 
attacked or disturbed, these Indians would 
have sacrificed their lives in defendmg her. 
Their love knew no bounds, for the kindness 
she had siiown them, and while living upon 
these flats, she had no fear of being molested. 
Vet many of the whites lived in fear, though 
they escaped all harm. 

For want of space, I will not go far back, to 
describe the Indian mode of warfare, before 
the white man found them here. At that time 
they had laid aside the stone spears and ar- 
rows, and taken the rifle in their stead. The 
tomahawk and scalping-knife was still retained, 
and many of the younger Indians used the bow 
and iron pointed arrows, for a pastime. 

The Indians counted time by moons. In 
speaking of an event, they would say,"So many 
iiK ( IIS ago" or "the leaves came and went," in 
traveling, they proceded on foot, or by single 
horse, having ]ioles fastened on each side, witii 
one end running back, dragging on the ground, 
on which they piled their camp utensils, in 
moving from place to place. Their roads were 
by paths or trails through the forest, or wide 



18 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



enough for the horse to drag the h:»ad behind 
him. These trails were kept for years, and 
many places in the eonntry to day, where they 
have crossed rocks, a crevice has been worn in 
them, a foot or more in depth, by their con- 
stant traveling. 

The Seneca Indians in burying their dead, 
place them in a sitting posture, with their faces 
toward the east. Several places in town, their 
bones have been dug up by the pale face, yet 
there has been no evidence of any burial 
place here. On the lands now owned by Van- 
Buren Guldner, no doubt was one of these pla- 
ces, for there has been bones and skeletons 
exhumed there during the late years. 

Adventurks ok Daniel Carr. 

The sketch of this Indian captive was pre- 
sented to me by, B. F. Fosdick, deceased, of 
donesus Center, who was a distant relative of 
the same. Carr in after years would visit this 
country, where he had stayed those long years 
before in captivity, and at each time spend a 
few days with Mr. Fosdick, and to him related 
the following narrative. The exact date we 
have not, but it must have been near the year 
of 1770. 

Daniel Carr having occasion to visit the west- 
ern part of New York state upon some business 
transaction, when near the present sight of Can- 
andaigua, Ontario County, came suddenly 
upon a small party of Indians, who surrounded 
him and made him their prisoner, and took nim 
to their village near by. This took place in 
the forcudon and the acteruoon was occupied in 
holding an Indian cduncil of the leading men 
of the village, as to what disposition should be 
made of their j)ris(jner. It was decided that he 
should be compelled in tlio morning to run the 
gauntlet, lie was then escorted to one of their 
wigwams and placed under a heavy guard to 



prevent his escape. He spent the night iti 
great agony, and in the morning was led fortli 
by his captors a few rods from the vilhige, where 
he saw two long lines of warriors, dressed in 
their costumes, and armed with their instru- 
ments of war, waiting to receive him. They 
took him to the head of the line and made mo- 
tions for him to pass down between them, and 
that if he reached the other end, he would be 
saved. An old chief stood near him, to give 
the signal for his starting. The signal was 
given, and when he was about to start there 
rushed forth from the crowd an Indian maiden 
some twenty summers old — with tears in her 
eyes — threw her arms around the old chief's 
neck, and besought him to save the pale face 
captive's life. The old chief gazed at his 
daughter for a long time, while she stood firm 
and pleaded for his safety. At last his heart 
was softened, he turned and presented the cap- 
tive to her, that he should go and act as her 
slave. The Indians then conducted him back 
to their wigwams, and dressed him in their In- 
dian costumes. He was a man of large stature, 
and in strength, there was none that could e- 
qual him in the tribe. The first work that 
was assigned to him, was the cutting the wood 
and hoing the corn, at which he was not a 
very profitable hand, for he would use his hoe 
in such an awkward way, that it was sure to 
cut off" the corn, and when they sent him for 
wood he was sure to get the wettest he could 
find. 

The Indians had an old white horse, and one 
day he hitched it to a sled, and went into ;i 
swanij) near by for wood. Tliere was a large 
bog hole in the swamp, into which he managed 
to drive the old horse and get him mired. He 
was obliged to go back and get a number of 
the Indiana to come and help the horse out, 
which they succeeded in doing, after a large 




The WaraDance of the Senecas. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



19 



amount of labor, while they heaped curses upon 
him for cutting up such a caper, which only 
served to amuse him. 

A short time afterwards, in the month of 
June, the Indians had a war dance, and it was 
customary that those who did not join the 
dances, which included the squaws, should sit 
or Hh on the ground around thom. As Carr 
did not join their dances, he watched them with 
deep interest until the end, and resolved the 
next night, to have one on his own hook. So 
when the next evening came, he prepared him- 
self as he saw the Indians do the night before, 
and commenced hooting and dancing, until he 
drew a large crowd around him oti tjie ground, 
when all of a sudden he commenced running 
and jumping upon their backs as they lay around 
watching him, which was the means of soon 
closing his war dance. The next morning when 
he arose he found two Indians waiting for hiui 
with the summons that the old chief would like 
to see him at his wigwam. With a heavy heart 
he proceeded with them, expecting to find the 
old chief in finger, and that he would put him 
to some torture for his misdoings. But as he 
entered the old chief welcomed him, and politely 
informed him that the pale face umst have no 
more war dances, and then bade him to take 
his departure. 

After remaining a short time at Canandaigua 
they removed him to the Genesee flats near 
.Moscow, N. \ ., when he again commenced his 
depredations by throwing the squaws in the 
river during the snnnner time, while the Indians 
lay along the banks and laughed to see tlioiii 
swim to the shore. Yet after all the trouble 
he caused the Indiauis, they all loved him, for 
he did all he could for them when they were 
sick, and he claimed that lie believed that there 
was not one soul in the whole tribe, but what 
would have fought for him, if they saw him in 



trouble. 

Seven long years rolled away before an op- 
portunity presented itself for him to return to 
his native place, in the state of New Jersey, 
for at the tinje of his capture he had pledged his 
word to the Indians that he would not try to 
make an escape, and he well knew if he at- 
tempted it, it would have been very doubtful 
if he ever could have succeeded, for there were 
parties of Indians roaming all over the difi"er- 
ent parts of the country, who would without 
doubt recapture him, and return with him. It 
would have been certain death for him, as he 
would have broken his word, which the Indians 
considered a disgrace and dishonor. He longed 
however, to return to his family, which con- 
sisted of a wife and several children. 

At last the time came. It was in the spring 
time when there was a small party of Indians 
preparing to visit the Mohawk Indians, whose 
settlement was upon the Hudson river. He 
begged of them the privilege of accompanying 
them and visiting once more the friends of his 
native state, which they readily granted, after 
he had pledged his word that he would return 
to them at a certain moon, upon the Hudson, 
and go back with them to their forest home. 
They then set upon their journey, and soon ar- 
rived upon the banks of the Hudson, where he 
parted with them and started out alone for his 
native place. 

Alter several days travel, he arrived at his 
former home, which from a few scattering houses 
had grown to a flourishing village. Upon his 
arrival, his first inquiry was for the cottage of 
the widow Carr. It was soon pointed out to 
him, and lie repaired to it, to make known hi.-< 
visit. As he reached the door he rapped, and a 
young maiden some twenty summers opened 
it and bade him enter. He was dressed in his 
Indian costume, and his beard and hair were 



•20 



THE HISTORY OF CONES US. 



of vast length, as he had not shaven since his 
capture. He inquired if the Widow Carr lived 
there, and received the reply that she did. He 
then asked to see her, and the young lady step- 
ped to the chamber door and called her, as she 
was up stairs spinning. As she did not respond 
immediately, he requested her to be called 
again. She came down and entered the room, 
but she knew him not. He then related to her 
that he was from the Indian coimtry, and that 
lie had seen her husband among the Indians, 
and knew him to be well and hardy ; but she 
would not believe it, for she knew he iuust be 
dead, or he would not have left her so long in 
sorrow and misery, mourning for him. Find- 
ing that he could not convince her, he asked 
her if she would not give him some of (^arr's 
old clothes and a razor, that he might take them 
to her hxisband, so he would believe him when 



he told that he had seen his wife. Then he took 
his leave, promising to return in the afternoon 
before setting out for the Indian country. He 
then repaired to the tavern, and with the assis- 
tance of the landlord, he cut his hair and was 
shaved, and then dressed himself in the clothes 
his wife had given him. 

When the appointed hour came in the after- 
noon he returned to the cottage and entered, 
and as soon as his wife saw him the second time 
she knew him, and rushed forward and threw 
her arms around his neck and wept for joy. 

His children that he had left seven long 
years before stood around him. Some had 
almost grown to man and womanhood, and tliey 
also welcomed him. But when the time came 
for him to meet tlie Indians upon the Hudson, 
he failed to do so, and without doubt filled their 
hearts with sorrow, for they dearly loved him. 




CHAPTER ni. 



" ^u Hi tun 5 ^ani^tnifin. 



§'§ 



L.!jj|«N the Suiimioi- ;iiid Fall of 1778, and 
V-lp^ the Spring of 1779, tlie Seneca Indians 



f^j,j;^^<^ living in the middle and western part 
"y" of New Vork, commenced connnitting 
unlawful depredations, by plundering and mur- 
dering the frontier settlers of the northern 
iind western part of Pennsylvania. These In- 
dians were eneonraged in their blood-thirsty 
and cold-hearted designs, by a large number 
of British Tories and Half-breeds, who went 
farther in the scenes of torture then the Indians 
did themselves. At last Congress, then set- 
ting in Philadelj>hia, found themselves called 
upon to form a protection for the pioneers, 
who were advancing the arts of civilization on 
the oiit-skirts of the frontier settlements of that 
state. This at last they resolved to do by send- 
ing an army into the midst of Senecas — whose 
prominent village was in the western part of 
Livingston County, N. Y. — and bring them 
into submission. 

There has been much written iu regard to 
this campaign in other books of a larger scope, 
that we will not spend too much time in giving 
a minute detail of this journey of this army of 
four thousand men, in an almost unknown wil- 
derness at that time to the whiteman. What 



we have jirepared, has been taken from J<.urn- 
als (some thirty I have seen,) kept by the armv 
at the time of the invasion. The most exten- 
sive of these Journals, is that of Major Norris 
which we have more or less copied from, as 
it appears in the publications of the "Buffalo 
Historical Society," Vol. T., page "21 7, of their 
jiublicatiouK of the year of 1 K71>j by the kind 
permission of the publishers, Messrs Bigelow 
Brothers, Buffalo, \. V. 

The task (tf conmiaiuling this iiiiiiv was at- 
tended with so much risk of destruction, 
before (Jeneral Sullivan accepted the command 
that several prominent army officers had re- 
fused the offer. The first of these officers that 
was requested to command by <}eneral Wash- 
ington, was General Gates, who declined the 
off"er of the Commander-in-chief, in a cold and 
uneourteous letter. The leadership was then 
offered to General Sullivan, who at once ac- 
cepted and entered upon the honorable and re- 
sponsible duty for his country. 

The Head Quarters of the Army was at once 
established at Easton, Pennsylvania — except 
Clinton's division from the Mohawk river — 
from which point a general order was issued 
on the L'4th. day of May, 1779. On the 18th. 



21 



'22 



THE IIISTOKV OF CONESUS. 



ilay of Juue, the little aniiy left Easton, for 
Wyoming, the recent scene of a bloody massa- 
cre, which had shocked the civilized world, 
and made many hearts shudder. In this order 
to General Sullivan, his instructions from Gen- 
eral Washington, was his guidance through the 
whole campaign, and he followed the same as 
shown in the following Plates — if the country 
would admitt of the same — to a letter. 

A Journal of tiik Makcii. 

FRIDAY, June 18, 1770. 

The little army of General Sullivan, started 
out on its fearless march this morning tVdiii 
Kaston, Pa. They moved until I'J o'clock, 
when the army halted for the day at a })lace 
called " Hillier's Tavern," twelve miles tVom 
I'jaston by actual survey. 

[ The army was accompanied with a (•( r] s 
of Surveyors, who measured every rod of the 
way from Easton, Pa., to the (Jenesee River, 
near Mt. Morris, N. Y., and back again.] 
SATURDAY, June 10th. 

The army were called in line at 4 o'clock, 
A. M., and then marched seven miles U> Bunk- 
er's Mills, halted, drew rations and rested. 
Their march had been through the Blue mount- 
ains by a narrow jiass then called '' Wind- 
gap," which seem to had been designed for a 
couunuuication for the army. They then 
marched nine miles farther and encamped for 
the night at what was called " Learn's Tavern" 
near Pogono Point. The lands through which 
they marched, were mountainous, rocky, barren 
and uninhabited. It was well watered and the 
streams filled with trout. 
SUNDAY, June 20th. 

The army marched at 8 o'clock, and en- 
tered an extensive forest, then called the 
'' Great Swamp," which they entered for five 
miles and stopped on a small brook. General 



Sullivan called this camp " Chowder Camp." 
The houses they left that morning, were the 
last of the inhabitants until they reached Wy- 
oming. 
MONDAY, June 21st. 

The army marched twenty-one miles to-day 
through a vast wilderness, where there had 
been only a foot-path until the soldiers cleared 
a roadway last spring. This day told fearful 
on the army, as they could find no place to en- 
camp until thoy had got through the swamp, 
and their hardships could had been less<med 
if they had gone farther the day before. They 
crossed two streams called by them " Tobehan- 
nah" and " Tanckhannanck," and then came 
to the Lehigh, a Western branch of the Dela- 
ware, which, after passing they entered a gloomy 
grove of Cypress, Hemlock, Pine, Spruce &c., 
called the "Shades of Death." They found 
the tiujber in the swamp, of great size. 
TUESDAY, June 22nd. 

They marched five miles, and encamped 
upon a desolate farm, which was once the home 
of a man name Bullock, who had been driven 
off with his family, by the Savages. Here they 
found plenty of fresh grass for their horses. 
WEDNESDAY, June 23th. 

After marching seven uiiles, they reached 
Wyoming. Four miles of this place, they saw 
a monument erected to the memory of Captain 
Davis and Lieutenant Jones of the 11th Penn- 
sylvania Regiment, who was murdered by the 
Indians, April 23. 1779. 

About 12 o'clock they entered the town of 
Wyoming, which exhibited to them a melan- 
choly scene of desolation, in ruined houses, 
wasted fields, fatherless children and widows. 
These unhappy people, after living in constant 
fear, for some time were attacked by a large 
body of Indians, in July of 1778, and out off 
four hundred humane soules, only sixty were 



THE HISTOKY OF CONESUS. 



23 



left to tell the tale, and most of these were of 
those who made their escape into the mount- 
ains. The Tory Refugees, who joined the 
Indians to cut off the settlement, are said to 
have given proof of more cruel and unnatural 
barbarity then even the Savages themselves, of 
which is one instance : — 

A young man by the name of Henry Pensil, 
who had escaped the fate of his countrymen, 
;ind in the evening after the battle had taken 
refuge on a small Island in the river, was dis- 
covered by a Tory, who fiercely accosted him 

with the appellation of a D Rebel. The 

poor fellow being unarmed, began to implore 
for mercy, and fell upon his knees and entreated 
his Brother, not to stain his hands with his 
Brother's blood. " John," said Henr^', " I am 
your brother, spare my life, and I will serve 
you." " I know you are my brother," replied 
the Villiaii; ' but you are ad Rebel, Hen- 
ry, and we are of opposite side and sentiments." 
At the same tiiuo lie loaded his gun, and with 
great coolness, took aim, and sent a bullet 
through his heart, then tomahawked and scal])e(l 
him. A short ways off lay another young man 
liid who saw the whole transaction, knew them 
both, and made his escape afterwards, and said 
when the Indians came up and saw what he had 
done, they cursed him, and threatened t(i shoot 
him on the spot for his cruelty. 
THURSDAY, June 24th. 

The Army remained at Wyoming, until 
July .Slst. This evening one of the sentries 
was fired upon, by an Indian, who tried to 
steal upon him and take him prisoner. The 
Indian made his escape. 

[For want of space, we will not give every 
day doings of the army, as it la}^ at Wyoming, 
but only what we deem to be interesting to 
our readers] 
SUNDAY, June 27th. 



To day the 2nd. and 3d. New Hampshire 
Regiments, was ordered to move and pitch their 
tents upon what they called the Plains of 
Abraham, three miles higher up on the West- 
ern banks of the Susquehanna river. 
MONDAY, June 28th. 

General Sullivan to-day received a letter 
from General Clinton, dated Schoharrie, in- 
forming him, that he had three months provis- 
ions and 1700 mem, with 300 more at another 
point, awaiting his order to join him. 
THURSDAY, July 1st. 

Michael Rosebury and Lawrence Miller, 
found guilty at Easton the 3d. of June of en- 
couraging soldiers to desert, was brought for- 
ward to be executed ; the former was hanged, 
and the latter reprieved. 
FRIDAY, July 2nd. 

In ^lajor Norris' Journal, he gives thi' 
following : — '• I rode out this Morning 
with Gen'l Door and Lieut. Col Dearborn, 
about four miles from caujp, to view the ground 
where the Wyoming massacre had taken place. 
We saw a Stockade fort, with a covered way 
to a spring, which is said to have been built by 
some of the disaffective settlers, and given uji 
immediately on the approach of the enemy. 
Here the Savages murdered about two hundred 
men. We found more or less bones scattered 
over the ground f >r nearly two miles and sev- 
rral skulls bronght in at different times, thai 
had been scalped and mangled with a toma- 
hawk. We found a Captain's commission and 
seventeen continental dollars in the pocket of a 
skeleton, that had laid on the top of the ground 
for nearly twelve months, and at the same time 
our Guide pointed out to us a spot, where there 
had been buried, seventy-three bodies in one 
pit. All the houses had been burned : and the 
fields, — the most fertile that I ever saw, — over- 
ran with weeds and bushes, exhibiteil a melan- 



•24 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



choly picture of savage rage and desolation." 
SATURDAY, July 3d. 

To-day was the Anniversary of the mas- 
sacre of Wyoming. 
SUNDAY, July 4th. 

To-day being on Sunday, the celebration 
of the 4th. was postponed until next day, which 
the whole army properly observed. 
TUESDAY, July 6th. 

A Soldier by the name of Winslow, went 
iu this morning to swim, and was drowned. 
About 8 o'clock in the morning, an uncommon 
black cloud arose in the East, with heavy thun- 
der, followed with a hail storm, and some of 
the hailstones were said to have been as large 
as a hen's egg. 
SATURDAY, July lUth. 

Gen'l Sullivan sent ir)0 men from the 1st 
and '2nd. New Hampshire regiments, toward 
Easton, to escort some stores, and repair the 
roads. 
MONDAY, July l-2th. 

Three companies of the Ciemian regiment 
deserted to-day. 
SATURDAY, July 24th. 

Gen'l Hand arrived at Wyoming with 70 
boats laiden with provisions for the expedition. 
SUNDAY, July 25th. 

Five Soldiers of tlie (lerman Regiment 
were sentenced by court martial to be sli(it i'fv 
desertion, but were reprieved the next day. 
SATURDAY, July 31st. 

The army — after receiving orders yester- 
day — broke camp, and marched for the Indian 
country, at 1 o'clock, P. M. They had a large 
amount of trouble in fixing the Pack Horses 
and loading the boats. The orders were given 
to the army, to march in the following order : — 
Gen'l Hand's Brigade, a mile in advance to 
act as light troops; then Gen'l Maxwell's and 
Poor's Brigades ; then the Pack Horses, con- 



sisting of about 1 200 in number, and followed 
by 500 head of Cattle ; One Regiment for rear 
guard; 200 men as flank guards on the right, 
and GO men on the left by the river. Colonel 
Proctor's Artillery, were sent with 120 boats 
laden with provisions, by water, with 70 men 
on opposite side of the river, to act as guard for 
the boats, and to prevent them from falling int(p 
an ambush. The army marched about ten miles 
and encamped near a stream called Lachawan- 
unck, which unites with the Susquehanna at 
this place. They found the land level and fer- 
tile, but desolated by the Indians, who had 
burnt all the houses, and murdered the inhab- 
itants. At this time the army had been an- 
noyed by wet weather, which had existed for 
the past two weeks, and still continued. 
SUNDAY, August 1st. 

To-day was a very stormy day, and the 
army did not resume its march until 4 o'clock 
in the afternoon, when it marched to Quiluti- 
maok, a distance of seven miles. Tlie route 
was very difficult, as it lay along the foot of 
the mountain, which jutted down upon the riv- 
er. The pack-horses and cattle, caused them 
some delay, as the former did not arrived in 
camp until 9 o'clock that night; and the latter 
early the next mornning. 
MONDAY, August 2nd. 

The army did not resume their march t<.- 
day ; but lay encamped upon the ground they 
had selected the night before, to recruit their 
pack-horses, and collect the kegs of flour, am- 
munition and other baggage they had aband- 
oned the night before. The morning revealed 
to them that they had encamped at the foot of a 
large mountain, which was in their front, and 
the river in their rear. The ground had been 
inhabited, but was now over-grown with grass 
and thistles. 
TUESDAY, August 3d. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



25 



They resumeJ the march at 7 o'clock in 
the morning, and proceeded 12 miles over a 
much better country then they had expected, 
and encamped upon an old field, near the mouth 
of a small river that emj)tied into the Susque- 
hanna, called Tunkhanmuk. Here they cap- 
tured a young fawn, to the anmsement of the 
whole array. 
WEDNESDAY, August 4th. 

They struck their tents at (3 o'clock in the 
forenoon, and marched 1.3 miles, passing sev- 
eral places that once had been iidiabited, but 
now overran with Indians. The last <>f these 
stood upon the banks of the Meslujpping. They 
encamped about two or three miles from this 
place, upon a I'arm of a Tory, name Vanderlip, 
who had joined the Indians. Tlie fleet fnuiid 
great difficulty in descending the river, and 
did not reach camp, until I'J o'clock the next 
day 
Till-R8L)AV, August r)th. 

To-day at 9 o'clock, tiiey broke camp and 
moved ten miles (»ver a rocky and rough road, 
and encamped at Wyalusing. After leaving 
this place, they entered a level j)iece of ground, 
and expected to have found an Indian am- 
buscade. The signal was given to close ranks, 
which was done until they had gained the sum- 
mut of a lofty mountain, and then saw their 
fleet coming up the river, some three miles in the 
distance. After moving two miles farther, they 
descended into the lowlands of Wyalusing, 
which was covered with Sycamore trees of im- 
mense size, and then encamped upon a level 
plain, which was once an Indian town of about 
eighty houses, built in two parallel rows, form- 
ing a street, (lO or 70 feet wide, and was now 
in ruins The army lay here encamped for two 
days. 
SUNDAY, August 8th. 

The army moved at 7 o'clock this moruing 



toward Tioga a distance of ten miles, and en- 
camped where there had been a settlement in 
1775, and was called Standing Stone Bottom, 
(^aptain Spalding who commanded the Inde- 
pendent company in Gen'l Hand's Light Troops, 
lived at this ^jlace. 
MONDAY, August 9th. 

Marched at 6 o'clock in the morning, for 
three and one-half miles, to a stream called 
Wesawking, and halted ; then twelve miles 
farther to the Sheshekonunck bottom — a large 
meadow of about 1 5U acres of splendid grass 
lying on the Susquehanna river. 
WEDNESDAY, August 11 th. 

The army rested until to-day, when it re- 
sumed its journey at 8 o'clock, for two miles, 
when they forded the river, which ran very 
r.tjiid. They all got over safely, except one 
niMii, who was carried down the stream by the 
current, but was saved by Lieut. Col Barber, 
Adj't (General, at the hazzard of his own life ; 
tlion tlicy advanced one mile through a rich 
bottom covered with large tall trees, which 
shut out the sun, and soon came to a plain called 
Queen Ester's Plantation. This lady governed 
a portion of the Seneca tribe; but dwelt in re- 
tirement, and detached from all of her subjects, 
and the ruins of her Palace, was plaiidy seen, 
and surrounded by fruit trees of various kinds. 
At the Eastern end of this plain, the Tioga 
river forms a junction with the Susquehanna 
river, and here the army forded the same, and 
encamped about half a mile above on the Sus- 
quehanna. At this place they found a number 
of hides lying on the ground, which showed ev- 
idences that the Indians had lately encamped 
here, and no doubt it was once an Indian town. 
THURSDAY, August 12th. 

Gen'l Sullivan gave orders to-day for a fort 
and four block-houses to be built here for se- 
curity of the fleet, and also for provisions to be 



26 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



left for their return march, under a heavy 
guard. In the afternoon they received news 
by their scouts that were sent out the day be- 
fore, that the Indians was at Chemung, some 
fifteen miles distant, and were fleeing before 
them. Orders was then given, to march at H 
o'clock that evening, so as to be ready to at- 
tack them at day-break in the morning. Their 
march was attended with great difficulty, as 
they had a thick swamp and several dangerous 
defiles to pass ; yet, they arrived at the ap- 
pointed time, to find the town vacated. 

This town seemed to have been one of their 
Capitol towns, and contained about forty houses, 
which was burnt at sun-rise. From api)ear- 
ance, the Indians had left it but a few hours 
before. Gen'l Hand and his troops then fol- 
lowed them, until he reached the top of a ridge, 
when the Savages fired up(»]i them, killing six 
men, and wounded seven others, including 
among the latter three officers, and then tliev 
ran away, and were jiursued, but witln Tit 
success. Here Hand's troops destroyed their ' 
i-orn-fields, and while engaged in tlieir destruc- 
tion, were fired upon aijain, by Indians and 
Tories across the river, killing one man, and 
wounding five more, and then they returned to 
Tioga at sun-set, having marched thirty-four 
niiles, in twenty-four hours. Here the army 
lay uritil the twenty-six. 
SUNDAY, August 15th. 

Gen'l Poor and nine hundred choosen men 
were ordered to-day, to march to-morrow^ morn- 
ing up the Susquehanna river, to meet Gen'l 
Clinton, who was coming from the Mohawk 
river, to aid him in case he should be attacked 
V)efore he couM reach the main army. In the 
afternoon, a small j>arty of Indians fired upon 
some men who were out, — without the guard — 
after some stray horses and cattle, killing one 
and wounding another, and then made their es- 



cape. 

MONDAY, August 16th. 

Gen'l Poor marched his detatchment up 
the Susquehanna to meet Gen'l Clinton. The 
route was very rough and mountainous. They 
encamped for the niiiht, at an Old Indian town 
called Macktonanuck. 
TUESDAY, August 17th. 

They marched early this morning twelve 
miles to the Indian town Owagea, which had 
been deserted the Spring before. The march 
to-day, proved to have been quite severe, as 
the left column had to pass through several 
morasses, and climb steep hills. 
WEDNESDAY, August 18th. 

To-day they proceeded eighteen miles 
through an almost impassable forests, and en- 
camped at an Indian town, that had been va- 
cated in the Summer before, called Choconant. 
This town, they found a large quanity of Garden 
vegetables growing, that the Indians had left 
beliind them. At sunset they heard a report 
of a canon, in front of them, which told them, 
that General Clinton, was near them. 
THURSDAY, August 19th. 

Early this morning, they resumed their 
march ; but, after going about a mile. General 
Poor received a messenger from Gen'l Clinton 
that he would meet him at 10 o'clock in the 
forenoon. They then returned back to their last 
camping place, and waited their coming. Here 
at the specified time, Clinton joined them with 
two thousand men, and two hundred Batteauxs 
laden with provisions and amunition. After 
a friendly greeting, th»j turned about, and 
started down the river, and encamped that 
night at Choconant. The next two days was 
occupied in reaching the main army again. 
MONDAY, August 22nd. 

To-day they marched eleven miles, and 
reached the main army at 11 o'clock, A. M. 



THE HISTOKY OF CONiiSUS. 



From August 22nd., to the •iOth., the army 
remained at Tioga, preparing to continue their 
inarch into the Indian Country. On tlie '23d. 
;i sad accident happened, that filled their hearts 
with sorrow. A soldier accidently discharged 
Iiis gun, loaded with a ball and several buck- 
shot; and Captain Kimball, who was standing 
a short ways off by a tent, received the contents 
and expired in a few minutes, and another sol- 
dier wounded. The next day the remains of 
Capt. Kendall was buried with military honor. 
THURSDAY, August 2()th. 

The army resumed their march for the 
Imlian country at 12 o'clock to-day under the 
[ilan of Order's of .March and Battle. They 
♦uund great difficulty in getting ready, on ac- 
count of not having sufficient number of pack- 
horses to carry their provisions and ammunition. 
They left three hundred men under Col. Shreve 
to guard this jdace uritil their return. .Mr. 
liodge accompanied them as Surveyor, :iii<l 
measured the way, as they went. 
FRIDAY, Angu.st 27th. 

They resumed their march at S o'clock 
this morning, and traveled six miles tlirougli a 
thick wood, which they had to cut a way for 
their Artillery and Annnunition Wagons, de- 
taining them at one place, seven hours, and then 
encamped in a corn-field of sixty or .•seventy 
acres at 10 o'clock that night. 
SATURDAY, August 28th. 

They had the corn to destroy this morning 
which detained them until 2 o'clock in the af- 
ternoon. Before they moved off the ground, 
— on account of the mountain sloping down 
U) the river, making the passage of the artil- 
lery impassable, — they had to ford the river 
twice before reaching Chemung. To-day their 
Scouts returned and reported of discovering a 
large body of Indians some six miles in front, 
who fired upon a small party of them. 



SUNDAY, August 29th. 

The army marched at o'clock in the fore- 
nocn ; they had scarcely proceeded five miles, 
when the Light Troops discovered a line of 
breastworks, about eighty rods in front, and in 
reconrioitreing, was found to extend nearly a 
half of a mile in length, on advantageous 
grounds to the Savages. These works had a 
large brook in front uf them, with the river on 
the right, a higli mountain on the left, and a 
large Indian settlement in the rear called Xew- 
town. They were well hidden from view 
by green bushes arranged in front of them, so 
the discovery of them was purely accidental, 
as well as fortunate for the army. 

.\s sotin as the discovery had been made, 
skirmishing conunenced briskly on both sides, 
and continued until the army formed a line of 
battle, to attack in the following order, viz — 
The Artillery to form in the front of the en- 
emy breaskworks, supported by Gen'l Hand's 
light troop.s brigade : Gen'l I'oor's and Rifle- 
men to turn the enemy left, and to reach the 
enemy rear, .supported b}' (len'l (^linton's brig- 
ade, while Gen'l Maxwell's brigade to be held 
as reserve c(jrps, and the left flanking division 
and light troops to pursue the enemy when tlu'v 
left the works. 

At 8 o'clock in the afternoon, Gen'l Poor's 
brigade, (being the mo.st important one in the 
battle as given in the Journals of Major Hub- 
ley, Dr. (\impbell, Major N(»rris, and others, of 
which Major Norris' Journal, giving the fullest 
and he being in that Brigade, we take the same 
for our guide,) began their march to the left 
and pa.s.sed through a very tiiick swamp cov- 
ered with bushes for nearly a mile, that they 
found great difficulty to keep in order. After 
passing the swamp, they crossed the creek that 
ran in front of the works, — and on both sides 
was a number of new houses, but no cleared 



•2H 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



land, — and began to ascend the mountain on 
the enemy's left, and as they advanced, were 
.-aluted by a brisk fire from the Indians at the 
top, who tried to prevent the troops from turn- 
ing their left flank. The instant the Indians 
commenced firing, they gave a tremendous war- 
whoop, which was responded too by the rifle- 
men, luitil Poor's troops could form themselves 
in line of battle, which was done very quick 
and then they advanced with fixed bayonets, 
without firing a shot, until reaching the sum- 
mit, at a half mile distant, when they poured 
such a deadly tire upon the Savages, that they 
were obliged to run for their lives. 

Colonel Reed's regiment was on the left of 
tlie brigade, and in a position that the full force 
of the Savages was thrown against him, whieli 
prevented him from advancing as fast, as the 
nther troops did. .\t last the Indians almost 
surrounded him, and he was about contemjtla- 
ting of retreating, when Colonel Dearborn, 
whose regimemt was next to him, saw at once 
tiie position of his brother officer, and the com- 
manding officer being too far away to get orders, 
I'esolved to take his regiment on his own re- 
sponsibility and go to his assistance, which he 
did, just in time to prevent Reed's defeat, and 
the two regiments being combined together, 
soon put the enemy to flight. 

It is said in connection with this battle, that 
when Poor's troops halted to form their line of 
battle, there hovered over the men, in the air 
:ind smoke of the conflict, a spectre in form of 
a mother closely clasping her babe to her bo- 
som, and trying to shield it from an upraised 
tomahawk. The sight struck terror into the 
liearts of the men, and they rushed on like de- 
mons and soon dipersed the emeny. 

The Indians left a number of their packs and 
blankets on the ground, with eleven dead war- 
riors and one squaw : while a white man and a 



negro was taken prisoner. From these pris- 
oners, they learned that Butler was in com- 
mand, and that Brant had all the Indians he 
could muster in the Six Nations, an there were 
about 200 white men, of which a few were Brit- 
ish Regular Troops, and the whole force was 
about 1500 men. The Indians loss were 
very great: and the American loss was Major 
Titcumb, Captain Clay, Lieut. MacCaully, 
(who died that night) and 29 Privates wounded 
in Poor's brigade, and four Privates wounded 
in other parts of the army. At sunset, the 
whole army encamped upon the grounds lately 
occupied by the enemy. 
MONDAY, August 30th. 

To-day the army remained upon the ground 
and destroyed the corn, and burnt about forty 
houses ; they also made arrangement with Gen- ' 
eral Sullivan, to live at his request, on half of 
a pound of beef and the same amount of flour 
jier day, as lon.a" as it was deemed necessary. 
This night the sick and wounded, with the am- 
munition wagons and four pieces of heavy ar- 
tillery that were impeding their progress, was 
sent back to Tioga by water. 
TUESDAY, August 3 1st. 

The army commenced to march about 10 
o'clock to-ddv, and traveled some ten miles, 
and destroyed several fields of corn and houses 
and among them, a fine Indian town, called 
Kannawalohalla. 
WEDNESDAY, September 1st. 

A detachment returned to the army this 
morning, that had been sent after the Indians 
up the river yesterday, without success. The 
army marched at 10 o'clock upon a plain 
for four miles, until they came to what was 
called the Beir swamp, which extended nine 
miles to an Indian town called French Cathar- 
ine. The swamp was very thickly covered with 
Pine, Hemlock and Spruce, and a large creek 



THE HlSTOllY OF CONESUS. 



29 



ran through the center which they had to cross 
t wenty times ; and they had to cut a road the 
most of the way. When they had got within 
three miles of Catherine's town, just at dark, 
they found themselves in a horrible mucky 
)ilace in the swamp, which prevented them from 
reaching the town until 10 o'clock that night; 
which they found had been deserted that day. 
THURSDAY, September 2nd. 

The town of Catherine consisted of about 
thirty houses, surrounded by large corn-fields 
and orchards, which was destroyed to-day. 
An Old Indian squaw was found in the bushes 
that had been unable to follow the other In- 
dians, from wlioni they obtained much valuable 
information. 
FRIDAY, September 3d. 

The army marched at 8 o'clock this uiorn- 
iiig, for three miles over very rough ground to 
the head of Seneca lake; then for nine miles 
more over level ground, and encamped for the 
night. 
SATURDAY, September 4th. 

The army resumed its march at 10 o'clock 
this forenoon, for four miles to a small village 
where they found several fine fields of corn, 
which they destroyed, and then marched eight 
miles farther over good ground, and encamped 
tor the night. 
SUNDAY, September 5th. 

At 10 o'clock this morning they resumed 
their journey for five miles, until they came to 
;in Indian town called Candaia or Appletown, 
loiitaining twenty houses, surrounded by an 
• >ld orchard of sixty trees. At this place they 
recaptured a man named Luke Sweatland, who 
had been taken prisoner at the massacre of VV'y- 
' lining, and had been adopted into an Indian 
family. A messenger arrived this afternoon 
from Tioga, and informed them of the death of 
Abner Dearborn, one of the wounded at New- 



town. 

MONDAY, September 6th. 

The horses and cattle became scattered 
through the night, and the army was unable to 
march till 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when they 
proceeded three miles, and encamped for the 
night along the shore of the lake. At this 
place, they discovered an Indian village upon 
the other side of the lake, and saw Indians 
driving horses. 
TUESDAY, September Tth. 

They resumed the march at 7 o'clock this 
morning, for eight miles, until they came to the 
end of the lake. Here they expected the en- 
emy would give them another battle, as they 
forded the outlet of the lake, as it would have 
given them great advantages over them. 
But, the scouts soon reported that the coast 
was clear, and they passed in safety, and then 
proceeded three miles aiid destro^^ed a small 
settlement, then two miles farther, to a large 
Indian town, called Kannadasaga or Seneca 
Castle, which was considered as one of their 
noted towns. This town consisted of about 
forty houses, and in the center was the ruins 
of an Old Stockade furt, built in 1756 by Sir 
William Johnson, and a block-house. In one 
of the huts they found a white child, that had 
been captured from the settlements on the bor- 
ders of Pennsylvania. When found it was en- 
tirely naked and nearly starved. It was about 
three years old, and could speak a few Indian 
words. It was carried along with the army, 
and Captain Machin of the engineer corps, a- 
dopted it, and it was named Thomas Machin. 
A few years afterwards, it was taken to New 
Windsor, near Newburgh, N. Y., where it died 
with the small-pox. 
WEDNESDAY, September 8th. 

The army did not move to-day, but sent 
their riflemen eight miles to destroy a town 



:io 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



culled Gotliseuiiquoan, The Scouts also de- 
stroyed another town called Scawyace or Little 
FalLs, which they accidentally discovered. 
THITRSPAY, September 9th. 

Having rained thi'ough the night and the 
lorenoon, the army did not resume its march, 
until 12 o'clock. All of the sick was sent 
l>ack to Tioga this morning, under Capt. Reed 
with an escoit of fifty men. The army then pro- 
( ceded three miles, andent«n-ed what was called 
the nine mile swamp, which they penetrated 
for four miles, and encamped for the night. 
FRIDAY, September 10th. 

The army resumed the march at S o'clock 
;tnd passed out of the swamp, and then for one 
mile farther, which brought them to the Cau- 
andaigua lake, then a mile farther to a pretty 
Indian town of the same name, which they «!e- 
stroyed, then encamped for the night. 
SATURDAY, September 1 1th. 

They marched this morning at M o'clock, 
for fourteen miles, to an Indian town called 
Anyayea (Houeoye), near a small lake, which 
consisted of eleven houses and com fields, 
where they encamped for the night. 
SUNDAY, September llJth. 

Having heavy rain this morning, tiie army 
(lid not moved until 12 o'clock. They built a 
small fort here, and left Captain Cummings and 
guard, with one piece of artillery and all the 
ammunition and provisions, that they did not 
need to carry them to the Genesee, and back 
again. The army passed over rough grounds, 
and entered the present town of Conesus, upon 
liOt No (>., and in a South-westerly course for 
nearly a half mile, then west down the hill near 
the residence of the late Ephrani Cole, and 
then encamped upon the level flats, just west 
of Foot's corners, — as some of the Journals 
,says — at sunset, after traveling eleven miles, 
in the afternoon. To-ni^t Lieut. Boyd re- 



ceives his orders at 1 1 o'clock to go into t'ue 
Indian country, to discover the location of their 
village, and return by morning, as given in the 
sketch of his life. 
MONDAY, September 13th. 

The army marched at 7 o'clock in a south- 
west direction, passing over the sight of the 
farm-house of Granger Griswold, (better known 
as the Widow Scott place,) and then down to 
the Head of the Lake, where thev found the 
Indian village called by them Kaneysas or 
Yucksea, as describe in Chapter II. 

We will not give an account of the doings 
of Boyd's party after leaving the camp at Foot's 
Corners now, as we give the same in the sketch 
of liis life, hereafter. 

At the head of Conesus Lake, the army found 
a large ujiry swamp, which compelled them to 
build a log bridge foi- a passage through it. 
While the troops were engaged at work on 
the bridge, they heard tiring upon the top of 
the liill ill front of them, and soon the sentries 
— who had been stationed at the foot of the 
hill along the border of the morass in front to 
protect the workmen from surprise, — were star- 
tled by seeing a couple of men, and among 
them .>h- Lodge — the Surveyor — who had pro- 
ceeded a short ways in front of the army, with 
his surveying instruments, running toward them 
followed by Indians in close pursuit, with up- 
lifted thomahawks. The Indian was so close 
upon Mr. Lodge, that he had to abandon his 
jacob-stafi", and as the Indian was about to strike 
him with his tomahawk, he passed one of 
the sentinel, who happened to be a boy about 
eighteen years of age, who with great coolness 
raised his gun to his shoulder, and brought 
down the savage before the latter had noticed 
his presence. For this heroic act he was 
highly complimented by his Commander-in- 
chief. While this was taking place, a corpora I 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



31 



l>y the name of Calhawn, who came voluntarily 
with Mr. Lodge, and was with him when he 
was attacked, was fired upon by the Indians, 
and mortally wounded and died the next morn- 
ing. 

As soon as the news was given to General 
Sullivan by the men who was with Boyd tliat 
had made their escape, he at once ordered 
(iren'l Hand and the light troops, to cross over 
the almost completed bridge, and go to Boyd's 
assistance at once. Gen'l Hand immediately 
crossed over, and proceeded up the hill to a 
level piece of ground, and formed a line of bat- 
tle, but too late, for the enemy had done its 
work and fled, leaving behind them their packs 
:ind many Indian trophies in their hurried flight. 
In the Fall of 1 879, in company with Gen'l 
Clark of Auburn, N. Y. and Rev. David Traft 
of Wyalusing, Pa., I visited this place, and to 
«mr surprise, found here a natural brejist-work 
of some forty rods in length, and about six feet 
liigh, and four feet across the top, hord'.'ring 
along a deep ravine. Behind this ridge in the 
ravine the Indians — consisting of about 1<)00 
savages and torics umler Brant and Butler — 
had come in the morning frouj Canawaunus, 
and formed themselvos into an ambttsciide: 
and as Boyd and party came into their rear, 
they supposed the army was doing the same 
thing to cut oflf their retreat, and in their haste 
to escape, fell back upon the little party, and 
soon antiihilated them. 

The arm}' completed nine miles to-dav, and 
encamped at an Indian town, of twenty houses 
nil the Canaseraga creek, in the town of Miniiit 
Morris. 
TUESDAY, September 14th. 

Gen'l Sulliven expected to have fonnd the 
Indian town called by them Great Chencsee, 
two miles from this place on the other side of 
the river : but, <in ci-nssiiiir nvor, found it seme 



six miles below. The army was employed un- 
til 12 o'clock in destroying corn; then forded 
the river, and passed through a small grove of 
timber, and entered the Genesee flats, which 
appeared to the soldiers as a vast cleared plain 
of some ten or twelve miles in length, and two 
or three miles in width. This plain was cov- 
ered with very tall grass, and the same was in 
many places from five to eight feet high, and 
the men on horseback, could part of the time 
only see the men in front of them, by their 
bayonets above the grass. They then marched 
two miles, crossed the Genesee river, and then 
down the same for four miles to the Indian 
village, which ccmsisted of one hundred houses. 
Here they soon discovered the headless bodies 
of Boyd and Parker, horribly mutilated as de- 
scribed in the sketch of Boyd's life. 
WEDNESDAY, September 15th. 

At (! o'clock this morning the whole annv 
tinned out, and was employed in destroying 
Ikkiscs and corn until '2 o'clock in the after- 
noon. '2n,00U bushels were piled up in the 
houses, and then the latter set on fire; 1.500 
apple tre<\s are said to have been destroyed, 
and the once beautiful valley turned into ruins 
and desolation. 

A white woman with a child came to them 
to-day, who had escaped from the Indians bv 
hiding in the bushes when they left their vil- 
lage on the apjiroach of the army. She had 
been cajitured at Wyoming, along with her 
husband, and one other child, who had been 
killed and then scalped before her eyes. 

At '? o'clock in the afternoon, the army 
turned about in high spirits, and commenced 
their homeward march. They then recross«'<] 
the Genesee river and encamped for the night. 
THURSDAY, September lOth. 

A number of cornfields were discovered 
this iDonuTig and destroved. whidi detained tlie 



'VI 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



jirmy until 10 o'clock. At 1 o'clock, they re- 
i-rossed the Gaghehegwalahale (Canaseraga) 
creek, and at 4 o'clock, arrived at Kanigsas or 
Chocksett (Head of Conesus Lake). To-day 
fourteen of Boyd's men were found near to- 
gether, scalped, and among them a friendly 
Oneida Indian, named Ilanyerry, which they 
buried. 
imiDAY, September 1 7th. 

The army marched at sunrise, and at 10 
o'clock arrived at Honeoye, which they had 
lieen in great fear for its safety since the cap- 
ture of Boyd, but to their gladness, found it 
safe. 
SATURDAY, September 18th. 

The army at 8 o'clock proceeded to Kan- 
iiandaquah and encamped. Four Oneida In- 
dians — one of whom was a Sachem — met the 
army to-day and informed them that one hun- 
dred Oneidas and Tuscaroras, had started 
'•ut to join them, but had ujet an Indian, who 
had left the army when it was at tlie above 
place, who informed them, that the army trav- 
eled so fast, that they could not overtake them 
so to be of any service, an<l they had returned 
back. 
SUNDAY, September 19tli. 

The army marched to Kanadasagea and 
encamped. At most of the Indian towns when 
the army was advancing, they found in front 
of them, dogs hung up on poles ten or twelve 
feet high, to drive the evil spirits away, and to 
fdease their immaginary God, that he would 
(•ause the return of i\\o army, and lead them 
on to victory. 
MONDAY, September 20th. 

Five hundred men under Colonel Butler, 
was ordered to-day to go around Kaiyuga (Cay- 
uga) lake, and destroy an Indian village of the 
same name, situated at the east end of the lake; 
Colonel Gansovoort and one hundred men was 



ordered to destroy the Mohawk Castle on the 
Mohawk river, and from there to Albany N. 
Y. In the afternoon, the army crossed the out- 
let of Seneca lake and encamped. 
TUESDAY, September 21st. 

Two hundred men under Colonel Dear- 
born was orded to proceed on the west side of 
Cayuga lake. After destroying several settle- 
ments, they joined the main army on the 26th 
at Kanawlohalla (Elmira). 
WEDNESDAY^ September 22nd. 

The army marched over the old route, to 
within nine miles of Catharinestown and en- 
camped. 
THURSDAY, September 23d. 

They resumed their march early this morn- 
ing to four miles from Catharinestown, and en- 
camped upon the edge of the swamp. Many 
of the soldiers had not forgotten the terrible 
night that many of them had passed in this 
swamp, and they had looked forward with dread 
to the return passnge through its morasses. 
Yet they passed in safety. 
FRIDAY, September 24th. 

The army arrived at Newtown to-day, 
where they met Captain Reid and two hundred 
uien sent forward from Tioga with an extra 
supply of provisions and cattle. Col. . Spauld- 
ing was sent up the Chemung river, and within 
two days destroyed Painted Post, and another 
Indian town called Knacto. Col. Dayton was 
also sent down the river, to destroy what other 
villages he might find. 

Sept. 25th. the army rested. 
SUNDAY, Septend.er 2(Jth. 

(^oloncl Dearborn and his trtfops rejoincii 
tiie army to-day. 
MONDAY, September 27th. 

S()me detachments were sent up the Alle- 
ghena river, to destroy what Indian settlements 
thev could find. 



THE lUSTOllY OF CONESUS. 



?>'. 



TUESDAY, September 28th. 

The same parties was again sent out, but 
to go farther up the river to destroy a Tory 
settlement. At 12 o'clock Colonel Butler and 
troops arrived in camp. In his route around 
the lake, he succeeded in destroying several 
settlements, and a large amount of corn. 
WEDNESDAY, September 29th. 

The army marched to Chemung. 
THURSDAY, September 30th. 

They resumed their march td Tioga, and 
III) their arrival there, was saluted by thirteen 
cannons under Col. Shreve, who had been left 
in command there, and the army replied witli 
the same number. 

October 1st. 2nd. and od. were spent in pre- 
paring to march to Wyoming. Tlic 2nd., 
was held as a day of great jubilee, by (icuenil 
Sullivan, in lionor of their success: and among 
the amusements of the day, they had an Indian 
war-dance at Head-Quarters, of whicli an ( )uci- 
da Sachem, was Master of the CereiiKjnics. 
MONDAY, October 4th. 

The army marched tiftoeu miles down tbe 
riv^er and encamped. 
TUESDAY, October .3th. 

The whole army embarked on board of 
boats except a sufficient nuudier to drive the 
pack-horses and cattle. 
THURSDAY, October 7th. 

The army arrived at \Vyoniing, after two 
days journey on the river. Here they re- 
mained until the 10th., as (General Sullivan 
iiad received orders on the Sth., to ]iroceed to 
Kaston on that day. 
SUNDAY, October lOth. 

The army commenced tlieir march to Eas- 
tou, where they arrived on the 15th, after and 
extraordinary march of one hundred and fifty- 
six miles in eight days, through a rough an 
mountainous country. Here they remained 



until the 25th, when they marched to Hea<l 
Quarters. 

STATISTICS OP THE ARMY. 

(jIkneual Sullivan's army consisted of 
the New Jersey brigade commanded by Brig- 
adier General William Maxwell of that State, 
and consisted of Ogden's 1st New Jersey, Day- 
ton's .3d. New Jersey, Shreve's 2nd New Jer- 
sey, Spencer's Independent New Jersey, Far- 
man's regiment (unjted with Spencer's command 
Jiuie 2rith 1770), and Sheldon's Light Dra- 
goons. 

Brigadier (jeneral Edward Hand of Penn- 
sylvania, commanded the Light Corps, consist- 
ing of Colonel Armaud Hubley's 11th Pa., 
Scliott (six (-omjianies), Independent and Raii- 
er companies, Cajitain Carbury's Light Horse 
(afterwarils dismounted), (Jolonel William Bug- 
ler's 4tli Pa., and the (rernian Troops. 

Tiie brigade of Brigadier General Enocli 
poor, of New llamjisbire, consisted of Colonel 
('ortlaiurs 2nd New York regiment, Lieut. 
Colonel Dearborn's 3d New Hampshire regi- 
ment, Colonel Chilley's 1st and Colonel Reid's 
2nd New Hampshire, and 6th Massachusett.«, 
connnanded by Major Whiting (which was 
taken from Clinton's brigade after the union of 
the two armies.) 

Colonel Thomas I'roctcn", connnanded the 
1st Pennsylvania regiment of artillery, which 
consisted of four 3-pounders. and two (l-pouuil- 
ers, two 5|i inch howitzers, and one coliorn, a 
small gun for throwing shells. This gun had 
handles on the side, by which two soldier* 
coidd carry it between them. The giui being 
unhandy in firing, the s(ddiers, fastened it to a 
s<juare block of wood, and place<l the sami' on 
four legs, to raise it from the grouml, and 
when it was fired off, would turn over back- 
ward, and the s<ddiers called it their " gras>- 



84 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



hopper." 

A force consisting of one hundred men, with 
two Captains and six subalterns, was left at 
the Wj'oming fort, under the command of Col- 
onel Zebulou Butler. 

General Sullivan's force at Wyoming, before 
being joined by General Clinton, and fit for 
duty July 22nd, 1779, was reported as follows : 
Brigadier Generals, 3 ; Colonels, 7 ; Lieut, 
Colonels, G; Majors, 8 ; Captains, 48; Chap- 
lains, 8; Surgeons, 10; Drum Majors, 8; 
Fife Majors, 3 ; drummers and fifers, 131 ; 
rank and file, 2,312. 

General James Clinton's brigade consisted of 
2iid New York regiment, commanded by Col- 
onel Cortland, (which was transferred from 
Poor's brigade to Clinton's, zVugust 23d) ; 
od New York, commanded by Colonel Peter 
Gansevoort; the 4th New York, commanded 
by Lieut.-Colonel Fred. Weissenfels ; the 5th 
New York (Independent), commanded by Col- 
onel Lewis Dubois ; the Gth ^lassachusetts 
(transferred to Poor's brigade after arriving at 
Tioga), commanded by Major Whiting and 
('aptain Harper, with volunteers, making a 
force of 1400, and a total force that penetrated 
the Indian country, 3,712 men. 

ORDER OF MARCH AND BAFTLK. 

The following order's were given to the army 
by General Washington, May 24th 1779, as 
their guidance, in regard to the position they 
should occupy in their line of march and bat- 
tle, which were promptly observed whenever 
the country would admit, as given in the two 
plates of this book, which I have copied from 
one of the Journals of the march. 

Order ok March. — The right of the first 
line to be covered by one hundred men drawn 
from Poor's brigade. 

The left of the first line to be guarded by 



one hundred men drawn from Maxwell's brig- 
ade. 

Each flank of the second line, to be guarded 
by fifty men drawn from Clinton's bi'igade. 

The flanking divisions on the right to consist 
of the German battalion and one hundred men 
drawn from the whole line. 

The flanking disvision on the left to consist 
of Hartlie's and Dayton's regiments and one 
hundred men drawn from the whole line. 

In the order of march, the Light Troops, 
will advance by the right of company's in files 
and keep half a mile in front. 

Maxwell's brigade will advance by the right 
in files, sections or platoons as the country will 
admit. Poor's brigade will advance by the left 
in the sauje way. 

Clinton's brigade will advance by the right 
of regiments in platoons, sections or files as the 
country will admit. AW the guarding parties 
and flanking divisions on the right, will ad- 
vance by the left, and those on the left, by the 
right. The artillery and pack-horses, to march 
in the center. 

Order of battle. — Should the army be 
attacked in front while on its march, the Light 
Troop^^ will immediately form to repulse the 
enemy. The flanking divisions will endeaver 
to gain tl'.e flank and rear of the enemy. While 
the line is forming, the pack-horses will in all 
cases fall into a position as shown in the an- 
nex diagram. Should the enemy attack citlicr 
flank, the flanking division will form in front, 
and sustain the attack till reinforced, and in 
such a case, a part of the light corps, is to be 
sent to gain the enemy flank and rear, and the 
guarding parties of the two lines will move lo 
gain the other flank. Should the enemy attack 
their rear, the two lines will face about and 
form a line in front of the enemy, while the 
guarding parties of the first line will move to 



9 K 



Gciicnil IIaiKr,'< I>iglit Tincij 





fr=1 



u 





(loncral Clintuir.s Briiradc. 






General Sullivan's Line of March. 



General Hand's Light Troops. 








c 



I 



General Maxwell's 



Brigade. 



General Poor's 



Brigade. 




Col. Proctor's Artillery. 

\ \ \ 



(ieneral Clinton's Brigade. 



>x^^ 



<:k 





I 




Guard of 
50 Men. 



Guard of 
50 Men. 



General Sullivan's Line of Battle. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



35 



sustain it, while the flanking division face about 
and gain the enemy flank and rear. Should 
the light troops be di'iven back, they will pass 
through the center of the main army, and form 
ill the I'ear. Should the army have either flank 
in danger, the covering party, move up to 
lengthen the line as may be found necessary, 
and the flanking divisions will display outward 
to prevent the enemy from succeeding. 

The light corps will have their advances 
and flank guards, at a good distance from the 
main army. The flanking divisions will fur- 
nish flank guards, and the second line, a rear 
guard for the main army. 

When the light corps begins an engagement 
with the enemy in front of the front of the 
pack-horses, they will halt and the rear will 
close up. And as the column moves at a small 
distance, they will close and display columns, 
which will bring the pack-horses in position 
as shown in the diagram of battle. Sliould 
the attack be made on either flank or rear, the 
horses must be kept in the position they were 
at the commencement of the attack, unless 
other orders are then given. 

Sketch ov Lieut. Thomas Buyi>. 

John Boyd, the father of Thomas, is sup- 
jjosed to have been born in Scotland about the 
year of 1720. He came to New York City, 
and then to Orange County, (same state), and 
from here to Pennsylvania, where he married 
a lady, (it is said; by the name of JIatliorn, 
and died young, leaving a widow and four chil- 
dren, whose names were John, William, Mary 
and Thomas. 

John, the oldest son, was taken prisoner by 
the Indians, and being the last that was known 
of him, he is supposed to have been killed by 
them. 



William, the second son, joined Washing- 
ton's army, and fell in the memorable battle of 
Brandywine, September 11, 1777. 

Mary, the only daughter, lived near Wash- 
iiigtouville. Pa., until her death, ^lay Jst, 
1 851 , and now has descendants living near that 
place and at South Bend, Indiana. 

Thomas, the youngest son, — whose fate 
seemed to have been reserved for Indian tor- 
ture — was born near Washingtonville. Pa., in 
1757. He was a young man of ordinary 
highth, strong built, fine looking, sociable and 
agreeable in all of his manners, which gained 
for him many friends, wherever he went. In 
his youth, his father died leaving him to the 
care of his widowed mother, who looked upon 
her sons, with the pride of a mother's care, and 
when she was parting with them, she begged of 
thorn, never to let cowardice cross their path. 

The younger da^s of Thomas was spent at 
houio ; and the first we have any account of 
him, he belonged to a Pennsylvania Rifle Com- 
pany, commanded b}' Captain Matthew Smith. 
This was at the time of Benedict Arnold's fa- 
mes march through the Pine Forrests, from 
Maine to Quebec. 

Here Thomas took an active part in the as- 
sault upon the works, Dec. 31, 1775, and was 
wounded and taken prisoner ; but was soon 
afterwards exchanged. Upon his return to his 
native place, he joined the First Pennsylvania 
Rifle Corps, and was present at the battle of 
Stillwater, October 7, 1775, and tliore wit- 
nessed tlie surrender of Burgoyne and his army. 
He was also present at the battle of ]\Ion- 
mouth, June 28, 1778. 

After leaving this army, he went to Scho- 
harie in the fall of that year under the command 
of Major Posey, who commanded three com- 
panies of Morgan's celebrated rifle corps, under 
the command of Captain Long, Pear and Sim- 



36 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



son ; of which Thomas belonged to the latter. 

Thomas remained here until the Summer of 
1779, when he joined Captain Michajl Simp- 
son's rifle company, in Colonel Butler's regi- 
ment, in Sullivan's campaign, against the Sen- 
eca Indians. 

We have no more accoimt of Thomas, from 
the time of his setting out with the army from 
Easton, Pa., Friday morning, June 1 8th, until 
the 12th of September following. Whatever 
were the daily scenos, of this little army, 
Thomas must have taken an active part. 

On the 12th of September, the army resumed 
its march in a heavy rain, and through a dense 
forest for nearly eleven miles, until they reached 
the low flat piece of ground a little West of 
Foot's Corners, which they reached the same 
iit dark, and encamped for the night. 

About 11 o'clock in t]ie evening, (jlencral 
Sullivan sent for him to come to his tent, as he 
had intportant business for him to do. Thomas 
went and soon received orders to select four of 
his most trusty comrades, as a scouting party, 
and go some fourteen miles (near Mt. Morris), 
in advance of the army, and to see if he could 
discover the location of the Indian village, and 
report the same to General Sullivan before 
day-break, so as to enable him to form plans, 
for the future guidance of his army. Thomas 
left his General's tent, but to disobey his cou»- 
mander's orders, for instead of four, he selected 
Vindi took with him, twenty-six men and two 
Oneida Indians, and set out for his destination. 

The little band, winded their way through 
the dense forest by the Indian trail, until they 
reached the little village of Canaseraga, situ- 
ated in the present town of Mt, Morris, which 
they found deserted, although the fires were still 
alive in their huts, The night was far ad- 
vanced, and the party weary, they encamped 
for a few hours, intending to ascertain at early 



morning, the location of the Indian town, the 
object of their mission. 

It was not 3'et break of day on Monday 
morning, the fourteenth of Septemboi- — a day 
so fatal to most of Thomas' party — when he. 
accompanied by Thomas Murphy — a noted 
Indian fighter — stole away from their compan- 
ions, and entered the Indian village near at 
liand. They here discovered two Indians com- 
ing out of a hut, of which one of them was a 
wounded warrior, and the other an uncle to the 
sachem Soh-nah-so-wah. A ball from Mur- 
|)iiy's rifle quickly sealed the fate of the former, 
and the latter fled. Murphy, as was his cus- 
tom, tcKjk off the slain Indian's scalp, his tlu-ee 
and thirtieth trophy. 

The flying Indian, Thomas well knew, would 
at <jnce make known his visit to the enemy, 
and thus defeat his purpose. He therefore re- 
solved to rejoin the army without delay. On 
going back to his party, he dispatched two 
messengers to (Jen'! Sullivan, with a report of 
his opperatiotis. They were directed to inform 
General Sullivan, that the scouts would i-etun> 
immediately in the morning. 

The messengers reached the army, early in 
the morning. The scouting party prepared to 
retrace their steps also. Ilanyerry — an Onei- 
da Indian — recommended his leader to follow 
a difiercnt trail; but, Thomas unwisely disre- 
guarded the advice of his faithful and intelli- 
gent guide. The most jealous caution was 
observed on the return march. '' With Ilan- 
yerry in front, and Murpiiy in the rear, their 
eagle eyes fixed upon each moving leaf and 
waving bctugJi, they man-hed forward slowly 
and with utmost cant iuu. Five weary miles had 
they thus traveled the dangerous route, and 
were about to descend the Grovcland hill U> 
the flats below, upon which the army lay. 
Less than two miles intervened between thent 



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THK IJISTOHV OF CONHSl'S. 



H7 



and their friends, and the j>arty begiiiiiiM<r to 
breathe freely, when tliey were suddenlv sur- 
prised by five hundred Indians, under Brant, 
and the same number of Koyalists under Butler. 
The enemy was secreted in a ravine." The 
party at once took to a small grove of trees 
when the firing began. A moment was thus 
secured for reflectiou. Thomas saw at once 
that the only chance of escape for his little par- 
ty, was the hazardous one of gathering all in- 
to a compact force, and breaking through the 
enemy's lines. After a few encouraging words, 
he led forward his men tor the attempt. 

In the first onset, not one of Thomas' men 
fell, while his fire told fearfully upon the ene- 
my. A second and third attempt to break 
the enemy's lines was made, and seventeen of 
Thomas' men had fallen. The firing was so 
close, before the brave paity was destroyed, 
tliat the powder from the enemy's muskets, 
was driven into their llesh. Though a major- 
ity lay dead, yet at the third onset of Thomas' 
nieii, the enemy's line was broken through, 
and Murphy, tumbling a huge warrior in the 
dust who obstructed his passage — even to the 
merriment of his dusky companions — led for- 
ward the little band. Thomas, justly siij)posiiig 
if any one escaped with his life, it would be 
Murphy, and determined to follow him ; but, 
not beuig so fast a runner, he was soon over- 
taken, and with him one of his men named 
Parker. General Sullivan says " that Thomas 
was shot through the body at the beginning of 
the fight." If so, this accounts for his inabil- 
ity to make his escape with Murphy. 

Thomas and Private Parker were hurried 
forward, immediately after the aflfair, with the 
retiring enemy to the vicinity of Beardstown. 
On finding himsulf a prisoner, Thomas obtaincil 
an interview with Brant, who, as well as him- 
self, was a freemason. After they had ex- 



changed the magic sign of brotherhood, Brant 
assiirrcd him that he should not be iigured. 
But soon afterward Brant was called oft" on 
some enterprise, the prisoners was left in charge 
of one of the Butlers (a half-breed;, who plac- 
ing the prisoners on their knees before him, a 
warrior on each side finnly grasping their arms, 
a third at their backs with upraised tomahawk, 
began to interrogate them about the purposes 
of (General Sullivan, threatening them with 
savage tortures if true and ready answer was 
not given. Thomas believing the assurance of 
JJrunt ample for his safety, and to high-minded 
in any situation to betray his country, refused 
— as did Parker — to any question touching the 
immediate purposes of the army. 

The savage Butler was true to his threat; 
and when the prisoners peremjitorily refused to 
answer, he handed them over to Little Beard 
and his warriors, who was already full of vindic- 
tiveness. The prisoners was seized, stripped, 
and bound to trees : they commenced a series 
of horrid cruelties, directed toward Thomas. 
When all was ready, T/ittle Beard lifted his 
hatchet, stained with the recent blood, and with 
steady aim, sent it whistling through the air, 
and in an instant it (juivered within a hair's 
thickness of Thomas' devoted head. The 
younger Indians were now permitted to follow 
the chief's example, and from right, front, and 
left, their bright tomahawks cleved the air. 
and trembled about the unflinching victim. 
Wearied at length of this work, a single blow 
severed Parker's head from his body, and mer- 
cifully ended his misery. Poor Thomas, was 
reserved for a worse fate. An incision was 
made in his abdomen, and a severed intestine 
was fastened to a tree. lie was then scoured 
with prickley-ash boughs, and compelled to 
move around until the pain became so excru- 
ciating it that he could <;o no farther. Ajrain 



.'iS 



TIIK HISTOilV OF COxNESUS. 



jiln.ioned, his iiioiitli w;i8 enlarged wirli a knife, 
iiis nails dug out, his tongue ent away, his ears 
severed from his head, his nose hewn off and 
thrust into his mouth, his eyes dug out, and 
the flesh cut from his shoulders, and, then sink- 
ing in death, after these enormities, he was 
decapitated and his disfigured head raised by 
tiie frenzied savages upon a sharpened pole. 

Just at night, as the army was preparing to 
encamp here, Paul Sanborn — for many years 
afterwards a resident of Conesus — then a pri- 
vate soldier on the right of Clinton's brigade, 
was moving with his detatchment, and, as it 
wheeled (;|uickly around in the direction of the 
village, discovered the headless corpse of 
'i'homas. The blood was yet oozing from it, 
so recently had the body been freed from its 
tornienters. Leaping over this, .Mr San]>orn 
alighted beside that of Parker's, as it lay in 
th'' long grass. He at once made known his 
discovery, the remains were placed under guard 
of Captain Michael Simpson's rifle company, 
and at evening the multilated bodies and dis- 
figured heads of these heroic men were buried 
witli military honors, under a wild phim tree, 
which grew near the junction of two streams, 
which was named at a great meeting in l!^41, 
as Boyd's creek, and Parker's creek. The 
heads of these two men were at once recognized 
by their companions, to whom Thomas' features 
were so familiar, and Parker's was identified, 
beyond doubt, from a scar on his face and his 
broken front teeth. Major Parr, who com- 
manded the rifle battalion to which Thomas' 
company belong, was present at the burial ; 
and Johm Salmon, late of Groveland, N. Y., 
then a private in Captain Simpson's company, 
assisted on the occasion. 

Tn the year of 1841, some gentlemen in 
1 Rochester, N. Y., and along the Genesee Val- 
ley, determined to pay a tribute of respect to 



Thomas and his companinns, by removing their 
reiuaiiis to Rochester, and reintering them, in 
tlie Mount Hope cemetery. 

On the 20th of August of that year, was tht; 
day ajipointed to give the lost braves the hon- 
or that was due them. On this day, a large 
crowd geathered at first at the head of Conesus 
lake, where the burial place of Thomas's com- 
panion was buried on the brow of Groveland 
hill, which was shown them by Mr Salmon, 
who was one of the men that was detailed the 
next day after the massacre to bury the dead. 

On the spot where they were buried, there 
had been left a small grove of trees, to mark 
their, burial place, but the wind had nearly de- 
stroyed them. Mr Salmon soon pointed out 
the graves, which were two in number. In one 
of theui was found the remains of twenty-ouo 
bodies, and the other but two On opening the 
graves, many doubted whether these were their 
remains, or of some other race of beings. But 
these doubts were soon put at rest by finding 
some of the buttons belonging to their uniforms. 

The late Mr. B. F, Posdic of our town, a 
man of portly size, and who was present at their 
removal, says " That these men must have been 
men of large stature. For their jaw-bones, 1 
Could place over mine, and their hip bones were 
longer." Many of the bones as soon as exposed 
to the air crumbled to pieces, and as soon as 
possible, w^ere placed in coffins, and taken to 
the burial place of Boyd and Parker, and their 
remains exhumed from beneath a wild plum 
tree, and all were taken to their last resting 
place, at Mount Hope, Rochester, N. Y. 

Mr. Salmon — tis said, as he always lived near 
the spot where his comrades fell, — would on 
that day, " rain or shine," visit this spot 
each succeeding year afterwards, as a token of 
remembrance of those, — his dear con)rades, 
who slept the sleep of death, Sept. l'2th, 177i*. 



CHAPTER IV. 



^ihl S^tiumk. §k. §k. 




-■^■'^^ONESUS, before its first settlement by 
■WSm iijg white man, was the home of the 



^ beasts of the forest as well as the red 
mail. Here they wandered forth from 
liill to hill, and valley to valley, in search of 
their prey ; or like the little s([uirrel in its frolic, 
leaped in and out among tlie forest trees. Here 
tlie fox buiTOUghed deep hito the soil, and the 
wolf ran an<l howled in his lair; the wild-cat 
screamed at night, and the panther lay crouched 
in the bushes, waiting to pimnce on his jirey ; 
while the deer came forth in early moiiiing, 
into the clearings of the pioneers, to destroy 
their grain. Yet, beside these depredations to 
harrow men's souls, that would cause them to 
give vent to their feelings, by being disturbed 
at night, by their heart-rending screams and 
yells. How far different it is to-day. Gone I 
except a few smaller animals we have of the 
present day. 

The most destructive animal, and one that 
caused the early settlers the most trouble, was 
the Bear. Often he would steal in upon them 
at night, and steal their pigs, or hogs, and try 
to carry them oflf into the dense forest. Some- 
times they would succeed, but in most cases, 
were driven off by the sturdy arms of tlio pio- 



neer's family. 

In the Summer of IsKl, Mr. .Jonathan Ivich- 
ardson, who was living at that time, in a log 
house, east of the railroad, near the present res- 
idence of J. H. Kowland, and upon lands now 
owned liy Iliram IJoyd. h;id a large bear visit 
him, and attempt to carry ofl" a large hog, 
weighing nearly ;}001bs. Mr. Richardson was 
awakened one night about 12 o'clock by a ter- 
rible noise at his hog-pen, and the squealing 
of his liog. Arising and dressing himself, he 
went out doors, and to his surprise, saw a very 
large black bear, trying to lift his hog over the 
side of the pen, which stood a short distance 
from the house. Arousing the other members 
of his household, and with their united aid, they 
succeeded in driving him oil". They found that 
the bear had managed to lift the hog out of the 
pen, and in doing so, had nearly killed it; for 
in a day or so, the hog lost one of his ears, 
which came oft' from the effect of its rough usage. 

The next day, Jlr. llichardson replaced the 
hog back in the pen, and resolved to watch the 
next night for the return of the bear. And the 
bear came about the same hour of night, and 
entered the pen and attempted to repeat his 
former undertaking, but by the firing of his 



39 



40 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



lifle, and with the aid of the other members of 
tlie family, he succeeded in driving him off 
again ; and the bear did not return an}- more, 
to the great satisfaction of the family, as it was 
not every one that was able to own a hog in 
those days. 

Bears, have been always considered harmless 
by the early settlers, and would run from them 
<'n approach of their steps. But, at certain 
times of the year, or when they were driven by 
hunger in search of food, or if v/ounded, or 
if aeconipained by their young, were not at al- 
times pleasant fellows to fall in company with. 

Tn the Summer of 1810, Miss Sally Rich- 
ardson came near losing her life by a large 
bear, while passing through the piece of woods 
situated north of the Conesus Cemetery, on lot 
-Vo. o., now owned by Iliram Boyd ; and was 
as follows : 

In those days their were no well laid out pub- 
lic highways, as of the present day : but fodt 
paths, marked by blazed trees to guide the 
weary traveler through the dense forests, which 
more or less of them has became extinct at the 
present day. One of these old roads ran frnui 
Turkey Hill to South Livonia, through the a- 
bove woods ; and on one summer morning Miss 
S:il]y Richardson started out upon a mission to 
the latter place. She walked along in a happy 
mood, until she had reached the center of the 
woods, and as she look ahead, she saw what 
she took to be a large black dog, sitting upon 
his haunches by the roadside, and looking to- 
ward her. She still advanced toward the ani- 
mal, and when within a few feet of it, she to 
iier horror discovered it to be a bear. Her 
first thought was to frighten it ; and having a 
small bundle done up in a hankerchief which 
slie carried in her hand, she shook tlie same at 
(he bear, to drive him away. He seemed to 
1 ay no attention to her, as she .quietly passed 



by him, still leaving him setting where she tirst 
discovered him, and hoping that she had seen 
the last of her unwelcome traveler. 

After going a little ways, she looked back, 
and to her surprise, she discovered she was being 
hotly pursued. She at once started on a run, 
screaming at the top of her voice, and the fas- 
ter she ran, the faster the bear followed her. 

A short distance from her, was a log fence on 
the north side of the woods, which she reached 
and succeeded in getting over in safety. The 
bear placed his paws upon the fence, and at- 
tempted to follow her, v/hen he was met by 
a couple of men with hoes in their hands, who 
was hoeing corn at that time on the hill above 
her, and hearing her screams, had rushed to 
her rescue, and made bruin take flight back 
into tlie forest for his safety, and in time to 
save her life. 

The next day a number of the settlors with 
tlieii- boar dogs set out in pursuit of the bear, 
wliich they soon found a short distance from 
the scene the day before. They drove him 
over the south end of Turkey Hill, down to the 
swamp, at t!ie head of the Conesus lake, where 
he made liis escape into the same, which was 
then impossible to enter. 

^Ir. Jesse Collar, who came into the town in 
the year of 1796, came near losing his life a 
few years afterwards by a bear, in the follow- 
ing manner. One day, Mr. Collar and his son 
Jacob, and his dog, had occasion to cross the 
Head of the Conesus Lake swamp, and when 
near the center of the same, they came across 
a large ferocious bear, which his dog attacked 
and drove up a large tree. As soon as they 
arrived at the foot of the tree, he commenced 
coming down, and when within a few feet of the 
ground, leajied off and luadc a lunge for Jacob 
as he struck at him with an ax, which he car- 
ried in his hand ; but the bear dodged the blow 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



41 



in .safety. Jacdb now called for his father to 
come and lielp him, and they started in ]iur.<uit 
"f the bear, which was trying to escape from 
t!iem, wliicli they followed for more than an 
hour, a'ld wlienever bruin wnuld attempt tn run. 
t!ie dog would sieze him by the flank, causing 
him to turn about to fight off the dog, that 
would give them time to overtake him, and 
this they would improve by striking at him 
every chance they got. 

At last bruin, not liking the treatment he 
was receiving, turned upon them, and sprang 
at Jessie, who attempted to dodge, sli])ped and 
fell as the bear pounced upon him. 

Jacob now saw that the time had come for 
a desperate umve on his j>:irt, if he wished to 
save the life of his father: so he rushed up and 
struck the bear on the head with the ax, taking 
<uit a piece of his scalp, wliile the dog seized 
him by the flank, and drew him from the father, 
who innnediately arose, and by their united 
strength, soon dispatched the bear. 

There is one incident more, of a narrow es- 
<ape from a bear, which we will give, to illus- 
trate the manner of treatment a person would 
receive from one, while floundering about in 
water, which they often do. 

In the year of 180'2, there came to the town 
of Conesus, a hermit by the name of Maloy, 
who took up his abode upon lot No. 19, bor- 
dering upon the shores of the TIendock lake, 
— then a vast wilderness, — where he built him 
a small log cabin, far from any civilization. 
Here he refused to mingle with any white jieo- 
jde in these parts, who desired to visit him. 
His whole desire seemed to have l>een to ad- 
vance farther into the forest, so that civilization 
could not approach him ; for as soon as tlie 
early settlers began to settle around him, lie 
packed up what domestic utensils he had, and 
moved down the Ohio river, then at) unsettled 



country, avowing that improvements was disa- 
greeable to him, and here his career became lost 
to the early settlers of the town. 

T'was M'hile living upon the shores of the 
Hemlock lake, that he came near losing his 
life. It was on one summer's day, that he had 
an occasion to randjle tow^ard the head of the 
lake, and when he had proceeded a short dis- 
tance from his house, his attention was attracted 
by a large bear, swimming in the lake. De- 
siring to secure him for meat, he resolved to 
attack him in the water, wdiich by doing, bruin 
would easily become his prey. So entering his 
boat, he pushed out toward the bear, and as he 
arrived near him, he found to his horror, that 
the bear, instead of swimming toward the shore 
as he had anticipated, began advancing toward 
the boat. Maloy now plainly saw the danger 
he was in : for if the bear should undertake to 
get into the boat, it would without doubt ujisct 
the same and tip him out in the lake, and then 
the bear would easily be the concjueror. He 
at once seized his oar, and attempted to keep 
the bear off: but in doing so, the boat was up- 
set, throwing him out into the lake, but as 
providence had directed, on the opposite side 
of the boat from the bear, while the boat turned 
upside down between them. 

Now came a desperate struggle to see which 
should become the possessor of the boat. Mii- 
loy gathered ujiallofhis energy, he struck 
out after grasjiing an oar in his hand, and suc- 
ceeded in reaching the boat first. Now holding 
on the boat with one hand, with the other he 
held his oar, and as the bear would advance 
toward the boat, he would ]iokc bruin's nose 
under the water, and by so doing, suci-oedod in 
drowning him. He then uprighted his boat, 
got in, and dragged the bear to the shore, and 
resolved licroafter to have his bear fights on 
<lry land. 



42 



THE HISTORY (JF CONESUS. 



One of the greatest enemies besides the bear, 
and that was feared the most, was the Wolf. 
These animals would roam through the forests 
in large droves, and at night they neither feared 
man or beasts. As a class they were the most 
destructive of all animals. They would Ijreak 
into the sheep folds, and beside killing what 
they wished to eat, they would bite and mangle 
many others, which the settlers would be 
obliged to kill, to get them out of their misery, 
and at other times would destroy whole flocks 
Ijefore they could be driven off. 

Many times the early settlers would become 
l)elated at night in passing through the forest, 
and when ever they did, the sound of the wolve's 
bowlings as they drew near, would warn them 
that the time had come for them to seek a place 
of safety. Fire was the wolf s greatest enemy. 
This they dare not approach; and many set- 
tlers when they became lost in the forest, have, 
saved their lives, by building up a large fire, 
and watche it through the night, as will be 
shown by the following incident : 

Through the summer and fall of 1 SU6, James 
McNinch took up lot No. Ill, in the south 
)>art of the town, and built a log house and 
(lid some clearing on the same. Before he 
got his house done, he built him a coal-pit 
shanty to stay and sleep in, while his wife re- 
mained with her father's family at the head of 
{^onesus lake. As the country being full of 
wild animals, he would take his gun and a 
large dog along with him, to protect him frum 
the danger of being attacked at night and day, 
by the ravinous beasts. 

One day while he was at wnrk chopping, a 
number of deer's came into his clearing, to 
browse upon the small tv/igs of the trees he had 
fallen. So taking his gmi, ho shot one of thoui 
and dressed it and carried it to his shanty, to 
supply him with venison. While at work, his 



dog through the day, got away from him, and 
went back to his father's house at the head of 
Conesus lake, leaving him to enjoy his solitude 
all alone. So when evening came, after finish- 
ing a hard days work, he entered his place of 
refuge, built him up a rousing fire, and resolved 
to have a piece of roasted venison for his sup- 
per. So cutting a ten<ler piece from the hind 
quarter of the deer, he soon had it roasting be- 
fore the fire. No sooner had he began to roast 
the meat and the scent of the same began to 
spread out into the forest, before it attracted 
the attention of a large number of wolves and 
brought them to his clearings, while the scent 
of tlie roasting meat made them so ravenous 
that they soon surrounded his shanty, as if in 
a combmed attempt to drive him out. 

Seeing that there was but one course to pur- 
sue, he took his trusty rifle, and as the leaders 
would advance toward his abode, he would 
shoot them, and then by keeping up a large 
fire, he kept them at bay until morning, when 
they disappeared into the forest again, leaving 
him a wiser man with fixed resolution, that in 
the future, he would cook his meats in the 
day time. 

In the fall of ISOG, Mr. McNinch finished his 
house and he moved his family into it, but did 
not make or hang any door for some time after- 
ward, but used in its place a blanket hung up 
for a dooi- to keep the cold out. 

One night shortly after they moved into the 
house, Mr. McNinch was called away from 
home, and Mrs. McNinch and her sister — who 
was upon a visit to her — was left alone to look 
after the domestic aflairs of the household. 
Soon after dark, the wolves began to surround 
the house and threatened to enter. Mrs. Mc- 
Ninch's sister, had rode a white horse to see 
her, and had hitched the same to a tree a few 
feet from the door. So they gathered up 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



4;{ 



courage, ventured out, untied it, lead it up and 
tied it before the door. The wolves would now 
try their vengeance, by snapping at the horse. 
When ever they did, the horse would kick and 
many times would send one or more of tliem 
rolling and yelping back among his companions. 
The two ladies trembled all night with fear, as 
they every moment expected to see their noble 
sentinel overpowered, and their humble domain 
entered. But by keeping up a bright fire, 
they pasted the night in safety. And before 
another night, they made a door and hung it. 

Wolves are sometimes known to become 
mad ; for in the year of 1 81 1 or 12, Mrs. Lucy 
Patterson says, that the early settlers in the 
northern part of the town, were filled with ter- 
ror by a mad wolf making his appearence among 
them. The incident she related to me is as fol- 
lows : — 

The wolf, was a large and voracious aniujal, 
and was first seen upon lands owned by the late 
Ephraini Cole, traveling toward the north. It 
was next seen near the residence of Flavins Coe 
at South Livonia, where it attacked and bit 
some cattle ; then it passed on near the les- 
idence of .Jackson Backus, where it came 
across some sheep and served them in the same 
manner •. from here it took a course to Livonia 
( 'enter to the residence of Esq. Blake, and bit 
some cattle for him : then retraced its course 
and came back to South Livonia, and from 
here it went in a northwest course t<.)ward Lake- 
ville, passing down what then was called 
"■ Pennymite " street. 

When the wolf had reached this street, it was 
in the afternoon of the day ; and passing down 
it, by chance it overtook some children coming 
from school, who upon first seeing it, mistook 
it for a large dog, but on coming closer discov- 
ered their mistake, and tried to avoid it by 
climbing upon a fence near at hand ; but as one 



of the boys was about to scale it, the wolf 
seized him by the back, and then passed along. 
But as Providence had directed, the teeth of 
the lirutp only passed through the boy's cloth- 
ing, IcMving him unharmed. The next day 
the excitement rose to a high pitch, as it was 
not known who might be the victim, to fall to 
the fury of the wolf. 

James Henderson — who was killed at the 
battle of Queenstown in the war of 1812 — was 
keeping school at South Livonia, at once raised 
a company of men, and in a sleigh pursued the 
wolf near to the present sight of Lakeville by 
its tracks in the snow, where they overtook and 
killed it. When the wolf was seen passing 
through the forest, it would snap and bite at 
everything it came in contact with, while the 
fnam and froth ran from its mouth. It seemed 
to have been in search (4'other wolves, to weak 
its vengeance on. 

In the year of 181o, wolves became very 
troublesome, in breaking in upon the settlers 
flocks and killing their sheep and cattle. Mr. 
Nathaniel Cole, a venerable old pioneer of the 
town says, in that year he was living upon lot 
No. Gl, now owned by William Gray, that one 
night, a pack of wolves broke in upon his sheep 
and killed a number of them. 

At this time there happened to be several 
Indians in the town from Squakie Hill, and 
procuring their services, they followed the 
wolves into Calabogue Hollow and killed three 
of them. The Indians scalped the wolves by 
taking a piece of the skin from the nose down 
to the shoulder, which they took to Canandaigua 
to obtain a bounty of five dollars, which was 
then oft'ered by the state on every wolf, and 
twenty dollars on every whelp (young wolf) 
that was killed. By some means, the Indians 
were cheated out except five dollars they re- 
ceived by some pretext or other. 



44 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



Of all animals, the Panther was the most 
treachennis animal that the settlers had to con- 
tend with : for, they would lie crouched in the 
bushes, or up among the branches of trees, and 
there wait in suspense for their victim, and when 
it passed by, would leap out upon the same, 
driving no warning until it had its victim within 
its folds. 

It happened one summer day in the year of 
1815, that Joseph McNinch had an occasion 
to drive some cattle through the south part of 
the town, then a vast wilderness. While riding 
along on his horse he heard a rustling in the 
bushes that grew along the side of the way, and 
at the same time a low fierce growl. Looking 
ahead he discovered a large full grown panther 
crouched to the ground and lashing his tail, 
ready to make a leap at him. Giving his horse 
a sharp cut with his whij), he was soon out of 
liis reach, and arrived home in a short time m 
safety. 

On the next day, while a, workman was stand- 
ing in the door of a large taimery and currier's 
shop, then owned and carried on by Esquire 
(jrilbert in the town of Springwater, was sur- 
y>rised to see a large panther come up to the side 
of the steps, and look him full in the face. 

There happened a large dog at that time who 
had been trained and accustomed to kill wolves 
in the building, Avhich the man called to his 
aid, but no sooner than the faithful animal saw 
the monster, then he shrunk back between his 
master's feet and refused to advance, at the 
;t;ame time uttering a fierce whining and howl- 
ing, and trembling like a leaf. All at once 
the panther turned and went away, to the glad 
surprise of the man, who expected every mo- 
ment he would make a spring at him, and that 
moment would be his last. 

The news spread very rapidly among the set- 
tlers, that there had been seen in the vicinity 



ajtanther; so the next day a large party of 
men assembled and resolved to hunt and kill 
the monster of the forest. In this party there 
seemed to have been an enmity against an old 
hunter whose name was Barber; and, who had 
long lived in their midst, and became known 
as a famous markman,and if he went with them 
he would carry off the trophy of the day. So 
after counseling among themselves, they re- 
solved to set forth on their hunt unknown to 
him ; but, in some way the news reached him, 
and the old hunter resolved to follow after them. 

As soon as they had departed, he set out after 
them, following a short distance in their rear, 
armed witli his favorite rifle. 

The party passed a large tree, and when the 
old hunter arrived almost beneath its branches, 
he lieard a rustling of the leaves above him, 
and on looking up, to his surprise, he saw the 
panther lying upon a limb preparing to tipring 
upon him. Stepping back a few feet, he lev- 
eled his trusty rifle, took a deliberate aim and 
fired. The ball speded on its deathly course 
and the panther came tumbling down to his 
feet, pierced through tiie heart. 

The report of the gun soon brought the other 
hunters back, and when they saw the panther 
lay before them, there arose a shout of joy, for 
instead of surprising the old hunter as they had 
sought to do, he had surprised them. 

The next tormentors to the early settlers in 
the shape of wild beasts, though not dangerous 
only when brought to bay, was the timid dears. 

In 1816, they were numerous, and caused 
the settlers much trouble by eating their grain 
and vegetables. Often they were obliged to 
rise before the break of day, and take their rifle 
and stationing themselves in their grain fields, 
and by constantly firing upon them to keep 
them from destroying the grain. In the fields, 
the men were obliged to stay until 9 o'clock 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



45 



a. m., when the Jeers would leave for tlio forest 
until next morning. 

Tn the early days among the settlers, it was 
their custom to meet once in so often, and hold 
a holiday in shape of a shooting match or some 
other game of amusement. Upon a certain 
(lay it was announced that there would be held 
at May's Corners (known now as Foot's Corn- 
ers,) a shooting match, and the chief prize to 
be competed for, was a deer, which at this time 
roamed over the town in large numbers; and 
it was decided that the person shooting near- 
est to the center of a mai-k at a certain distance 
.-hould be the possessor of the deer. 

But at this time the deers were wild in the 
forest, and there must be some mode adopted 
to capture one of them alive for the occasion. 
So after discussing the matter for a short time, 
several of the leading sportsmen got their lieuds 
together, and decided upon the following plan. 
First, they were to proceed to the .Alarrowback 
hills, and then with their hounds upon track, 
start the deers toward the head of Conesus 
lake, — for they well knew that the deers 
would take to escape the hounds by going into 
the water, — down what is known as Hogback, 
— above the residence of 1». F. Mc^Millrn and 
]>rother, — then a noted runway for then) to 
the waters of the lake. 

At this })oint of entrance, they were to have 
some men ready with boat to overtake the 
deer in the water, and bind him with strong 
ropes, and then drag him to the shore, an easy 
captive. 

So at last the day set for the capture arrived, 
which was three days before the match, and 
the men set out to take prisoner the wild fawn 
of the forest. 

Stationing their men upon the shore of the 
hike near the present residence of William Gil- 
bert, they jiroceeded to the hills of Marrnwli.ick 



with their liounds, which was soon sent in 
searcii of a deer. Their labor were soon re- 
warded by hearing the loud baying of the 
hounds as they followed the timid animal whose 
ti-ail they had struck toward the lake. 

Down went the pursued and pursuers, like a 
flash of lightning toward the blue waters of the 
lake, and a dark streak passed the men on 
shore, which told them that the time for their 
work had connnenced. So entering their canoe 
they pursued the deer, which had already en- 
tered the water, and before they could overtake 
liim was half way across. Placing a rope 
around his horns, they then resolved to allow 
him the free use of his feet until near the shore 
and then bind them and drag him upon the 
br-ach. 

All went smoothly until they were about to 
stop to bind the deer, when all at once he 
struck a sand bar extending out into the lake, 
and wiMi one bound upset the boat, throwing 
its occupants into the water, and made his es- 
cape up the Groveland hill on the other side. 
The hounds which by this time had made their 
way around the inlet, started hotly in pursuit, 
and as the rope being fasting to the horns of 
of the deer, would catch around the small sap- 
lings and bushes, which hindered t!ie deer in his 
flight, so that the hounds soon overtook him, 
and before the men could reach Iiiiii, killed him 
at the top of the hill. 

Being late in the day, tiie party returned 
chagrined at their loss, which deprived them of 
a jolly day of sport, minus a deer, witli a fine 
ducking in the cool clear waters of the lake. 

In the late years, the most troublesome an- 
imal has been the fox, who would steal in the 
dead of night to the poultry coops, or carry 
off young hunbs from the sheep folds. 

On examining the town book, 1 find upon its 
pages, the following botnities offered b}' the 



46 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



town, for the extermination of wild animals, 
in the town, was as follows: — 

" April 5th. 1831. Voted at the town meet- 
ing, a bounty of five dollars on wolves, and 
thirty-seven and one-half cents on foxes killed 
in town." 

"April 3d. 1836. Voted at the town meet- 
ing to pay a bounty of fifty cents on foxes, 
:ind six cents on old crows, and three cents on 
young ones, killed in the town." 

" April 5th. 1852. Voted at the town meet- 
ing to pay a bounty of fifty cents on old foxes 
and twenty-five cents on young ones, and one 
shilling on crows killed in the town." 

This last act must have been sufficient to 
liave caused their extermmation, for we can 
not find any other bounties offered by the town 
on the town book. 

In closing this chapter on the wild animals 
<»f the town, we must say at the present day, 
that all of the most ravinous and dangerous 
nnes, have becdtue extinct. The last one to our 



knowledge, was a wildcat, killed upon the 
shores of Conesus lake, a few years ago, under 
the following circumstances. 

Charlie ^Trescott (a son of Cyrus Trescott), 
then living with his father in the north west 
corner of the town, went out one winter morn- 
ing to do his morning chores, and as he opened 
the barn door, saw standing upon the floor a 
large cat-like looking animal, which at once 
became frightened at his approach, ran and at- 
tempted to escape through a spout in the side 
of the barn, which was used to pore swill 
through, to hogs in a pen on the outside. 

The wildcat at once gave a leap into the 
spout, which was smaller at the lower end, and 
in doing so, became wedged in it. Charlie 
at once seized a nail hammer which ha|»- 
pened to be lying upon the flour, and at- 
tacked and killed it before it couM release 
itself from its position. The cat measured 
about three feet from the end of the nose, to 
the tip end of the tail. 




^^•j)-. 



CHAPTER V 



C//f (l)iii\miil Xitiid 0niicri. 



!«:#|lrN tlie IGtli day of December, in tlje 

1 '^^Pyear of 1780, the western part of the 

/^^ State of New York, including wliat is 

}{, now the county of Steuben, was in the 
possession of the native Indians, and the right 
of pre-emption and of jurisdiction was claimed, 
adversely to this StAte, by the State of Massa- 
chusetts, under the old grant of James the first, 
to the Conncil of Plymouth, of a tract exteiul- 
ing from forty-eight degrees north, and west to 
the Pacific ocean. 

On the above day a conpact was entered into 
between the State of New York and Massachu- 
>ett8, by conuui>-ioners for that }»nrpose duly 
constituted ainl ajipointed by their respective 
States, by which said comjiact, duly executed, 
it was agreed, among otlier things, substantially 
:is fidlows : 

1st. Massachusetts released and confirmed to 
New York all claim, light and title of govern- 
ment, sovereignty and jurisdiction of all the 
hinds and territories heretofore claimed by the 
State of New York. 

2d. New York grauteil, released and cnn- 
firined to Massachusetts the right of pre-emption 
of the soil from the native Indians of 230,^00 
acres betw.on the ()wegoand Chenango rivers, 

47 



(including ten townships in Chenango county.) 
and also the right of pre-emption of the soil 
within the following limits and boundaries, 
j viz : " Beginnii^g in the northern boundary line 
! of the Stale of Pemisylvania on the Delaware 
river, in the parallel of forty-two degrees of 
north latitude, at a point distant eighty-two 
miles west from the northeast corner of th-' 
State of Pennsylvania, on the Delaware river, 
as the said boundary line hath been run and 
marked by the commissioners appointed by tlu' 
States of Peniisylvauia and New York, respec- 
tively, and from the said point or place of be- 
ginning ium)ing on a due meridian north, t(p 
the boundaiy line between the United States 
of America and the king of Great Britain: 
thence westerly and southly along the said 
b(mndary line, to a meridian which will pass 
one mile due east from the northern termina- 
tion of the strait of water between Lake Ontario 
and Lake Erie; thence south along the said 
meridian to the south shore of Lake Ontaric ; 
thence on the eastern side of the said strait, by 
a line always one mile distant from tiie paral- 
lel to the said strait, to Lake Erie ; thence due 
west to the boundary line between the L^nited 
States and the king of Great Britain ; thence 



4S 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



.ilDiip,- the said bdundarv line, until itmeets witli 
the line of cession from the State of New Y(jrk 
to the United States; thence along the said line 
(if cession to the northwest corner of tlie State 
of Pennsylvania; and thence along the north- 
ern boundary line of the State of Pennsylvania 
to the said place of beginning/' 

These boundaries embrace the jiresent coun- 
ties of Steuben, Yates, Ontario, the western 
jiart of Wayne, and all the counties lying west 
of them. 

For the purchase of the pre-emptive right to 
the principal tract described in the conpact be- 
tween New York and Massachusetts, a projio- 
sition was made by the Hon. Nathaniel Gorham 
atid Oliver Phelps, Esq., for the consideration 
of three hundred tliousand pounds, in the con- 
solidated security of Massachusetts. This pro- 
position was accepted by a resolution of the Leg- 
silature oi" that State passed April 1st ITSS, 
and the Rev. Samuel Kirkhmd was appointed to 
superinteml and approve the jmrchase, which 
said (lorhani and Phelps should )uake of the 
right of soil of the native Indians, according 
to one of the stii»ulati(Uis in the compact be- 
tween New York and Massachusetts. 

This stipulation or clause was, that any per- 
son purchasing the above territory or parts of 
the same, must at first make a treaty with the 
friendly Indians occupying the same, and pur- 
(diase their rights and title, and t') have the 
said treaty recorded in the office of the Secre- 
tary of the State of New Y'^ork, in six months 
after the said treaties had taken place, or 
otherwise the same would become void. 

On the Sth of July, 1788, a treaty was held 
and a deed was made and executed by the 
chiefs, sachems and warriors of the Five Na- 
tions of Indians, by which the said Indian Na- 
tions conveyed to the said Goi'ham and Phelps, 
for the consideration of two thousand one 



hundred pounds, New York currency, a tract 
of land bounded and described as follows : — 

" Beginning in the north boundary line of the 
State of Pennsylvania, in the parallel of forty- 
two degrees north lattitude, at a point distant 
eighty-two miles west froni the northeast corn- 
er of Pennsylvania, on Pelaware river, as the 
said boundary line hath been run, and marked 
by the Commissioners of New Y'^ork and Penn- 
sylvania, respectivefully, and from said point 
or place of begiiuiing, running west upon said 
line to a meridian which will pass through that 
cornei- or jioint f)f land made by the confluence 
of the Kansgwahaicona creek, so called, with 
the waters of the Genesee river, thence running 
north along the said meridian, to the center or 
point last mentioned, thence northwardly along 
the v.-aters of the said Genesee river, to a point 
two miles north of Khanawageras village, so 
called, thence runtiing in a direction due west, 
twelve n)iles, thence running a direction north- 
wardly, so as to be twelve miles distance from 
the most westward bend of the Genesee river, 
to the shore of the Ontario lake, thence east- 
Avardly along the shores of said lake, to a 
meridian which will pass through the first point 
or place of beginning above moutioned, thence 
sotith, along said meridian, to the first point or 
place of beginning-aforesaid." 

The above deed was witnessed by Rev. 
Sanmel Kirkland, and many others, and ap- 
proved by the Legislature of Massachusetts, 
the 121st of November, of that year. 

Thus Gorhoni and Phelps having purchased 
the pre-emptive right of the State of ^lassa- 
chuetts, and the right of soil of the Five Na- 
tions of Indians, they became possessors of all 
of the territory, which now comprises the coun- 
ties of Steuben, Yates, Ontario, part of Wayne 
and most of Monroe, a small part of Genesee, 
Livingston, and about one-half of Allegany. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



49 



Gorhaui and Phelps imuiediately took pos- 
session of their purchase, and at once divided 
it into townships; and by deed dated the 
17th of Noveinber, in the ^ear 1790, Gorhani 
and his wife Rebecca, and Phelps and his wife 
Mary conveyed the said tract, (excepting cer- 
tain reservations,) t(t Robert i^Iorris of Phila- 
delphia. 

Robert .Morris and his wife, ciinvcyed the 
same tract, excepting reservations, by deed, 
dated the 11th of April, 1792, to Charles 
Williamson. 

This Williamson is described as having come 
from Eno-laud, and at that time livinji in On- 
tario county. He is believed to have been an 
agent of Sir William Pultenej-, and had come 
to this country for making purchases for him. 
He bought large (quantities of land besides the 
above tract, in various parts of the State, and 
h^'ld them in his own name, although in fact as 
is supposed, as trustee for I'ulteney. 

Williamson and Pulteuey being aliens, they 
were at this time de{)rived of the right to ludd 
or sell lands in this State. To relieve them 
out of this situation, the Legislature passed an 
act April "id 179S, to enable aliens to hold 
lauds in the State under certain restrictions, 
which gave them power to sell and possess. 
This act was to be in force for three years ami 
no longer. 

So acc(^>rdingly, on the Ijlst of 31 arch, iX'll, 
before the expiration of the said act, William- 
son and his wife Abigail, conveyed the said 
tract of land to Sir W^illiam Pulteuey who 
sold a few years afterwards a part of what is 
now the town of Conesus, to W^illiam Bowers, 
and gave a small tract to the Canandaigua 
Academy, at Canandaigua, X. Y., as a char- 
itable gift. 

Before the year of 1819 or 20, the eastern 
part of Conesus belong to the town of T.ivonia, 



and the County of Ontario ; the western part 
of the town to Groveland, in the same County. 
But on the loth of April, 1820, the Legisla- 
ture passed an act that "all that township 
eight, in the six range of townships (then) in- 
cluding in the towns of Livonia and Groveland, 
except that part of township eight lying on the 
east side of the Ilendock lake and adjoining 
the town of Richmond, shall be, and the same 
is hereby erected into a separate town by the 
name of Freeport." 

Soon after the town was formed, it was sur- 
veyed by the owners, and laid off into lots, 
numbering them from 1, to 189, then a di- 
vision was made between the owners, of which 
Sir W^illiam Pulteuey held as his proportion, 
03 lots, Canandaigua Academy, 5, and the 
heirs of William Bowers (he having died a 
short time previous,) 70 lots, which was sub- 
divided as follows, to his five children, namely : 
John Bowers, 18 h»ts, Mary (Bowers) Camp- 
bell, 14 lots, Rebecca 'Bowers) Scott, 14 lots, 
Mary Ann (Bowers) Duane, 1 .t lots, Harriet 
(Bowers) Mumford, 14 lots. The Bowers fam- 
ily then had the head of the Heudock lake laid 
out into five lots, numbering them from one 
to five, as water ]irivileges, should any one de- 
sire them. 

When lite town was laid out into lots, it ex- 
tended on the east side of Hemlock lake, con- 
sisting of lots No. 10 and 20, and parts of lots 
numdered 30, 39, 48, and 57, which has since 
been transferred to Ontario county, on account 
of giving the inhabitants, better advantages in 
reaching the center of the town of Canadice, 
than it would to come to this town, to transact 
their town business. 

Soon after laying the town out into lots, the 
iieirs of John Bowers came here and com- 
menced selling off their lands to the settlers, 
who wished to purchase, at a low figure of eight 



50 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



or ten tloHars an acre. Upon their arrival 
here, they found a large number of settlers, 
who had seized their lands, supposing it to be 
without an owner, and by loping down the trees 
around a small piece, and claiming the same as 
their own, which they refused to give up, caus- 
ing some disturbances and some important law 
suits which were in the courts of the State for 
several years, and were at last decided in the 
favor of the rightful owners. These men were 
called by the settlers "Squatters." 

The Pulteney claims, have become extinct. 



and also those of the Canandaigua Academy 
and that of the Bowers family. The former 
established a Land Office with an agent at Bath, 
N. Y., which transacted their sales, while the 
Bowers' family sold their lands only by agent. 
Many of the settlers, who had cleared up a 
large piece of land as a perminent home, after 
several years of successive toil, suffering for all 
the necessarys of life, finding that they would 
be compelled to abandon their claims, bought 
of the rightful owners their clearings, securing 
for themselves a pleasent home. 




CHAPTER VI 



^he ^ir.'st ^cfflcuicnf:'J of the ^ouu. 




^EAllLY tburteeu long years rolled 



^^HyH^ away after Sullivan's campaign a- 
gainst the Seneca Indians before the 
whiteman first made a forest home 
in the wilderness of Conesns. This 
was in the year of 1798. There are evidences 
that plainly show that there may have been 
one person who came here at an earlier date, 
— and is given by Mrs. Lncy Patterson,who 
came here in the year of 1 800 — as thus : 

" When I came here, my father would take 
his horses from the northern part of Conesus, 
where we lived, over on Turkey Hill, to a 
small piece of ground that had been cleared 
several years before, to pasture. This place 
was known to the eaidier settlers, as the ' 01- 
cott clearings'. This piece of ground consisted 
of about five acres, which had been cleared 
and a log fence built around the same, and was 
at this time covered with grass. In the center 
there had been built a Log cabin, in which the 
settler had lived, which with the fence, had 
nearly rotted down ; showing that they had 
been built some years before," 

Having no deffinite account of the person or 
who settled here, we will therefore have to 
give the honor of the event, to James Hen- 



derson, who came here from Pennsylvania, and 
made a permanent settlement at the head of 
the Conesus lake, upon lands now owned by 
B. F. & R. F. McMillen, in 1793. Here he 
built him a log house, and soon after brought 
his family, (consisting of a wife and several 
children,) to mingle their fortune with him, in 
an unknown wilderness. The old log house, it 
is now said to be still standing, having passed 
through many storms, and housed many fam- 
ilies since. 

The next settler, is supposed to have been 
Hector McKay, who it is said to have come 
(some of the old settlers differ in date) in 1795. 
He located upon lot No. 108, about three- 
fourths of a mile nortli of the village ofScotts- 
burgh, where he built him a log house, and in 
the construction of the same, obtained the as- 
sistance of the friendly Indians of Squakie Hill, 
to raise it. 

The next early settlers, was Jacob Durham, 
in 1795, and Jessie and Jacob Collar, in 1796. 
After the entrence of these four pioneers the 
town began to become rapidly settled : and 
the sound of the woods-man ax, was heard from 
north to south, and east to west, and to day we 
can see wliat the sturdy hands of the Pioneer's 



51 



52 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



liave done for us. 

We will uow turn our attention to the first 
.settlements upon the different lots in the town 
as given by the early settlers ; whieli we will 
give who the original owners were, the num- 
ber of acres was in the lot, tlie settlers name, 
and the year he built the first house upon the 
same. The name of the original f»wners, and 
number of acres in each lot, was copied from 
an Old Map, drawn by John Scott, February 
.')th, 1 !^'2l : and now is in the possession of 
Jotham Clark, Sen., of this Town. 

SETTLEMENT OF LOTS. 

Lot No. 1 . A Pulteney lot, and contains 
106.27 Acres. Was settled by Solomon Root, 
who built the 1st. Log House, in 1815. 

Lot No. 2. A Duane lot, containing 125.- 
i>8, Acres. Was settled by him, and he built 
the 1st. Log House upon the same, in 1808 or 
1 809. 

Lot No. o. A Scott lot, containing 93.80 
Acres. Was settled by William Bently, who 
built the 1st. Log House upon the same, in 
1808 or 10. 

Lot No. 4. A Pulteney lot, consisting 1 42.- 
25 Acres. The first settlement was made upon 
the same by Alexander Patterson, who built 
the 1st. Log House, in 1814. 

Lot No. 5. A Scott lot, containing 145.86 
Acres. Was settled by Jabez Lewis, who 
built the 1st. Log House, in the Fall of 1805. 

Lot No. 6. A Pulteney lot, and contained 
156.36 Acres. Was first settled by Elias 
Chamberlin and John McMillen, who built each 
a Log House within a few month's of each 
other, in 1805. 

Lot No. 7. A Bowers lot, containing 159.- 
80 Acres. Was settled by William Reeves, 
who built the 1st Log House, in 1819. 

Lot No. 8. A Mumford lot, containing 



107.68 Acres. Wes settled by Peter Bevins, 
who built the 1st. Log House, in 1806. 

Lot No. 9. A Pulteney lot, containing 
182. .30 Acrec. Was settled by Isaac Neif, 
who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812. 

Lot No. 10. A Pulteney lot, containing 
81.07 Acres. This lot was situated on the 
east side of the Hemlock lake, and now belongs 
to the town of Canadice, N. Y. By whom it 
was settled, we are unable to say. 

Lot No. 11. A John Bowers lot, contain- 
114.02 Acres. Was settled by Arron Orloway 
who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816. 

Lot No. 12. Belonged to Mary Campbell, 
and contained 142.39 Acres. Was settled by 
Joseph Gilbert, who built the 1st. Log House, 
in 1808. 

Lot No. 13. Was owned by John Bowers, 
and contained 149.01 Acres. The first settle- 
ment and log house was built by Joseph Rich- 
ardson, in 1805, and followed by Devenport 
Alger, 1 808, who owned the same till his death. 

Lot No. 14. Belonged to Mary Campbell, 
and contained 144.20 Acres. Was first set- 
tled by John Richardson who built the 1st. 
Log House, in 1800. He was followed by 
Samuel Bently, in 1810. 

Lot No. 15. A Mary Ann Duane lot, con- 
taining 143.25 Acres. This lot was settled 
by Elijah Richardson, who built the 1st. Log 
House, in 1807. 

Lot No. 10. Belonged to the Canandaigua 
Academy, and contained 158.90 Acres. Was 
settled by Gashmem Jones, who built the 1st. 
Log House, in 1815. 

Lot No. 17. A Pulteney lot, containing 
157.85 Acres. Was settled by Timothy Bai- 
ley, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1819. 

Lot No. 18. A Mary Ann Campbell lot, 
containing 163.72 Acres. Was settled by 
William Jones, who built the 1st. Log House, 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



53 



in 1809. 

Lot No. 19. A llebecca Scott lot, contuin- 
in>i- '213.96 Acres. Was settled by Maloy tlie 
Hermit, in 180'i. The 1st. Log House was 
built by Holden, in 18'25. 

Lot No. 20. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 59.37 Acres. This lot now belongs to 
Canadico, N. V. 

Lot No. 21. To whom this lot belonged, it 
was not given on the map. It contained IKJ.- 
S7 Acres. It was settled by Jacob Hubbard 
who built the 1st. Log House, in 1819. 

Lot No. 22. Belonged to Mary Ann Duaiie, 
and contained 157.08 Acres. Was settled by 
Joshua Gills, who built the 1st. Log House, 
in 1 809, and was followed by David Duffer, 
in 1810. 

TiOt No. 23. A Mary Ann Duanc lot, con- 
taining 157.49 Acres. Was settled by Ely 
(Mark, who built the 1st. Log House, in 

Ijot No. 24. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 149.75 Acres. Settled by Harvey 
May, who built the 1st. Log House, in the 
Spring of 1 806. 

Lot No. 25. A William Pulteney lot, and 
had 142.62 Acres. Was settled by John Kob- 
inson, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1808. 

Lot No. 26. A Rebecca Scott lot, and con- 
tained 150 Acres. Was settled by James B. 
liobinson, vvho built the 1st. Log House, in 
ISIO. 

Lot No. 27. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 152.93 Acres. Was settled by Patrick 
McCartney who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1 809. 

[jot No. 28. A Harriet Mumford lot con- 
taining 167.26 Acres. Was settled by Reuben 
Jones and Richard Mitchel, who erected the 
1st. Log House, in 1825. 

Lot No. 29. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 116.88 Acres. Was settled by Abner 



Lewis, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812 
or '13. 

Lot No. 30. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 159.24 Acres. The lot is now divi- 
ded into two parts by the Hemlock lake. The 
part in the town of Conesus consisted of 120.- 
60 Acres, and that in the town of Canadice, 
38. ()4 Acres. We have no account of who 
the first settlers were. 

Lot No. 31. A Mary Ann Campbell lot, 
containing 119.60 Acres. Was settled by 
Jeremiah Young, who built the 1st Log House, 
in 1819 or '20. 

Lot No. 32. A Mary Ann Duane lot, con- 
taining 101.78 Acres. Settled in the year of 
1811, or '12, by Samuel Root, who built the 
1st. Log House. 

Lot No. 33. A Rebecca Scott lot, contain- 
ing 140.54 Acres. Was settled by Simeon 
Root, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1809 
or '10, and was followed by Joseph George, 
in 1810. 

fjOt No. 34. A Rnbecca Scott lot, contain- 
ing 140.34 Acres. Was settled by Moses 
Adams, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1808 
or '10. 

Lot No. 35. A Harriet .^himford lot, con- 
taining 147.46 Acres. Was settled by Moses 
Adams, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1808. 

Lot No. 36. A Harriet Mumford lot, con- 
sisting of 160.83 Acres. Was settled by 
a son of Joseph Richardson, and Harmon 
Wheeler, who built the 1st. Log House, but 
in what year, we have no date. 

Lot No. 37. A William Pulteney lot, 
containing 190.04 Acres. Was settled by 
Hiram May who done the first clearing in ISl 1 , 
and was followed by Elisha Hollister, who 
built the 1st. Log House, in 1815. 

Lot No. 38. A Mary Ann Duane lot, con- 
taining 116. K! Acres. By whom it was settled, 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



we are unable to say. 

Lot No. 39. A William Pulteiiey lot, and 
i.s divided into two parts by the Hemlock lake. 
The lot in Conesus, consisted of 200.01 Acres, 
and the part now in Canadice, 30.80 Acres. 
This lot was settled by Peter Bevins, who built 
the 1st. Log House, in 1810. 

Lot No. 40. A William Pulteiiey lot, con- 
taining 182.57 Acres. Was settled by Ira 
Young, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1810. 

[There is a dispute among the early settlers, 
and some claim that Peter Marvin built the 
1st. Log House, in 1819 or "20.] 

.Lot No. 41. A William Pulteney lot. con- 
taining 137.85 Acres. Was settled by James 
^IcNinch, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1812. 

Lot No. 42. A John M. Bowers lot, con- 
taining 107.91 Acres. Was settled by Joseph 
Whitney, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1812. 

Lot No. 43. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 145.14 Acres. Was settled by Abel 
Root, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1807. 

Lot No. 44. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 130.10 Acres. Was setth^d by Titles 
Crawfoot, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1S09. 

Lot No. 45. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
sisting of 1 03. 91 Acres. Was settled by Israel 
Wells, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812. 

Lot No. 46. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 109.80 Acres. Was settled by Cros- 
well Green, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1810. 

Lot No. 47. A Rebecca Scott lot, contain- 
ing 171.11 Acres. We have no record of its 
settlements. 

Lot No. 48. A Rebecca Scott lot, contain- 
ing 188.80 Acres. This lot is divided in two 
jnxrts by the Hemlock lake. The part now in 



Conesus, contained 169 Acres. The part in 
Canadice, contained 19.80 Acres. No record 
of the first settlements. 

Lot No. 49. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 443.25 Acres. Was settled by James 
Henderson, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1793. 

Lot No. 50. No name on the map, to whom 
it belonged. It contained 83.72 Acres. It was 

settled by ]Mudge, who built the 1st. 

Log House, in 1809. 

Lot No. 51. A Harriet Mumford lot, con- 
taining 117.41 Acres. By whom it was set- 
tled, we are unable to say. 

Lot No. 52. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
tahiing 62.42 Acres. Was settled by Jacob 
Dui-ham, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1813. 

Lot No. 53. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 92.65 Acres. No account of its settle- 
ment. 

Lot No. 54. Belonged to the Canandaigua 
Academy, and contained 1()7.80 Acres. Was 
settled by Jacob Wells, who built the 1st Log 
House, in 1810. 

Lot No. 55. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 154.41 Acres. Was settled by 

Green, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812. 

Lot No. 5(i. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 166.04 Acres. Was settled by Joshua 
Gates, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1815. 

Lot No. 57. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 258.54 Acres. This lot was divided in 
two parts by the Hemlock lake. The part now 
in Conesus, contains 154.44 Acres. The part 
in Canadice, 100.10 Acres. Whom it was set- 
tled by, we have no record. 

Lot No. 58. A John M. Bowers lot, con- 
taining 1 12.13 Acres. Was settled by Her- 
culus Williams (a Colored Man,); yet we have 
no date. 



THE HISTORY OF OONESUS. 



55 



Lot No. 59. A William Pulteney lot, and 
l.ad 198.01 Acres. Was settled by Elezur 
Alby, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1817. 

Lot No. 60. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 134.76 Acres. Was settled by Ileman 
Janes, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1810. 

Lot No. 61. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 170.95 Acres. Was settled by Jacob 
Durham, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1795. 

Lot No. (j"J. A .John M. Bowers lot, con- 
taining 180.56. Acres. Was settled by Henry 
Mann, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816. 

Lot No. 0.3. A John ^I. Bowers lot, con- 
taining 166.94 Acres. We have no record of 
its settlement. 

liOt No. 64. A Mary Campbell lot, con- 
taining 147.72 Acres. Was settled by 

Armstrong, but what year we have no date. 

Lot No. 65. A yiiiry Ann I Hume lot, con- 
taining 149.94 Acres. Was settled by Joel 
Bullock, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1SI6. 

Lot No. ('6. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 174.61 Acres. No record of settle- 
ment. 

liOt No. <H. A Harriet ^lumford lot, con- 
taining 154. '21 Acres. No record of settle- 
ment. 

Lot No. 6o. A Mary Ann Duano lot, fon- 

laining 22'i.85 Acres. Was settled by 

Nash, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1818. 

Lot No. 69. A John M. Bowers lot, con- 
taining 156.42 Acres. Was settled by Micah 
Spencer, who built the 1st Log House, in 1817. 

Lot No. 70. A Harriet Mumford lot, con- 
taining 112.25 Acres. Was settled by -John 
McNinch, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1803. 

Lot No. 71. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 146.^9 Acres. Was settled by Paul 



Sanborn, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1816 or 47. 

Lot No. 72. A John M. Bowers lot, con- 
taining 1 47.80 Acres. Was settled by Stephen 
Cole, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1815. 

Lot No. 73. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 168.56 Acres. Was settled by John 
H. Cole, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1814. 

Lot No. 74. A Mary Campbell lot, con- 
taining 146.48 Acres. Was settled by Thom- 
as FreemaTi, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1815. 

Lot No. 75. A Rebecca Scott lot, contain- 
ing 1 97 Acres!. No record of its settlements. 

Lot No. 76. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 1()7.84 Acres. No record of its settle- 
ments. 

Lot No. 77. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
caining 1 53.56. Acres. No record of its set- 
tlement. 

Lot No. 78. A John M. Bowers lot. con- 
taining 204.64 Acres. Was settled by Samuel 
McNinoh, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
181:5. 

Lot No. 79. A Harriet Mumford lot, con- 
taining 258.36 Acres. Was settled by Ira 
Young, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816. 

Lot No. 80. Belonged to the Canandaigua 
Academy and contained 167.63 Acres. Was 
settled by Samuel G. Campbell, who built the 
1st. Log House, in 1838. 

Lot No. 81. A Harriet Mumford lot, con- 
taining 156.23 Acres. Was settled by Joseph 
Allen, who built the 1st. Log House, in 180('. 

Lot No. 82. A Mary Ann Duane lot, con- 
taining 1(!0. 23 Acres. Was settled by Reubin 
Rogers, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1833. 

Lot No. 83. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 1(13.79 Acres. No record of its set- 
tlement. 



06 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



Lot No. 84. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 146. .32 Acres. We have no record of 
its settlement. 

Lot No. 8.5. A Mary Camjibell lot, con- 
taining 151.62 Acres. No account of its set- 
tlement. 

Lot No. 86. A Mary Campbell lot, con- 
taining 156.69 Acres. We have no account 
nf its settlement. 

Lot No. 87. A .John M. Bovvers lot, con- 
taining 142.54 Acres. We have no record of 
its settlement. 

Lot No. 88. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 218.34 Acres. Was settled by Mat- 
thew McNinch, who built the 1st. Log House, 
in 1815. 

Lot No. 80. Belonged to the Canandaigua 
Ac-ademy, and contained 206.96 Acres. Was 
settled by Zenas Whitening, who built the 1st. 
Log House, in 1816. 

Lot No. 90. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 208.43 Acres. Was settled by 

Simpson, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1816. 

Lot No. 9L A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 153.68 Acres. Was settled by James 
.McNinch, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1 805. 

Lot No. 92. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 1 51 .43 Acres. Was settled by StepJKMi 
Bunker, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1 S20. 

Lot No. 93. A Harriet Mumford lot, con- 
taining 170.38 Acres. By whom it was set- 
tled, we are unable to say. 

Lot No. 94. A Harriet Mumford lot, con- 
taining 147.15 Acres. Was settled by William 
Rice, who built the Lst. Log House, in 1816. 

Lot No. 95. A Mary Ann Puane lot, con- 
fit ining 152.82 Acres. Was settled by Derius 
."Moor, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1814. 



Lot No. 96. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 154.88 Acres. Was settled by — 



Hinsdale and Clemons Clark, who built the 
1st. Log House, in 1834. 

Lot No. 97. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 124.51 Acres. Was settled by 

Hinsdale and Clemons Clark ; we have no date 
of settlement. 

Lot No. 98. A Rebecca Scott lot, contain- 
ing 176.99 Acres. Was settled by Jacob 
Collar, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1796. 

Lot No. 99. A Rebecca Scott lot, contain- 
ing 163.85 Acres. Was settled by Elias Steel 
who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816. 

Lot No. 100. A William Pulteney lot, 
containing 103.42 Acres. Was settled by 
Amos P. Sweet ; yet we have no date of its 
settlement. 

Lot No. 101. A John M. Bowers lot, con- 
taining 1 55.80 Acres. Was settled by Samuel 
and Matthew McNinch, who built the 1st. Log 
House, in 1806. 

Lot No. 102. A William Pulteney lot, 
containing 153.32 Acres. Was settled by 
Johnson Pellon, who built the 1st. Log House, 
in 1827. 

Lot No. 104. A Mal-y Campbell lot, con- 
taining 169.70 Acres. Was settled by James 
3Iunn, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1814. 

Lot No. 104. A Harriet Mumford lot, con- 
taining 143.48 Acres. The first clearings was 
made by William Williams, and the 1st. Log 
House was built by Nathaniel Cole, in 1815. 

Lot No. 105. A Mary Campbell lot, con- 
taining 1 92.68. Acres. No record (jf its set- 
tlement. 

Lot No. 106. A William Pulteney lot, 
containing 1 54.30 Acres. Was settled by 
Erastus Wilkenson, who built the 1st. Log 
House, in 1836. 

Lot No. 107. A Mary Campbell lot, con- 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



57 



taining 147.08 Acres, Was settled by John 
lievins, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1841. 

Lot No. 108. A William Pulteney lot, 
and had 200 Acres. Was settled by Hector 
McKay, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1713.5. 

Lot No. 109. A Mary Ann Duane lot, con- 
taining 158. .32 Acres. Was settled by Jessie 
(^ollar, who built the 1st. Log House, in 179(i. 

Lot No. 1 10. Belonged to the Canandaigua 
Academy and contained lo4.88 Acres. Was 
settled by Paniel Wharpool, who built the 1st. 
Log House, in 1816. 

Lot No, 111. A Rebecca Scott lot, contain- 
ing 158.19 Acres. Was settled by James 
McNinch, who bixilt the 1st. Log House, in 
the Fall of 1800. 

Lot No, 112. A William Pulteney hit, 
containing 149.98 Acres. Was settled by 
Winter Allen, who built the 1st, Log House, 
in 1820, 

Lot No. U.S. A John M. Bowers lot, con- 
taining 147.88. Acres. Was settled by Jolni 

Kwalt and Hale, wiio built the 1st. Log 

n(mse, in 1815. 

Lot No. 114. A Harriet Mumford lot, con- 
taining 121.48 Acres. Was settled by 

<'nrtis, who built the 1st. Log House, in ISK!. 

Lot No, 115. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 101 .00 Acres. Was settled by Ezra 
Whitney, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1822, 

Lot No. 1 Ki. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining l(i4.17 Acres. Was settled by 

Courtis, who built the 1st, Log House, in 1812. 

Lot No, 117, A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 109.02 Acres, Was settled by Charles 
Wood, who built the 1st, Log House, in 1840. 

Lot No. 119, A Mary Ann Duane lot, con- 
taining 105.88 Acres. Was settled by Ransler 
r>oty, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1850. 

Lot No. 119. A .John M. Bowers lot, con- 



taining 121.97 Acres. Was settled by Anasa 
Lancton, who built the 1st, Log House, in 
1815, 

Lot No, 120, A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 101.56 Acres. Was settled by Sam- 
uel Morris, who built the let. Log House, in 
18.32. 

Lot No. 121. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 163,26 Acres, Was settled by 

Evans, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812 
or '14. 

Lot No. 122. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 118.87 Acres, Was settled by Henry 
Lutes, who built the 1st, Log House, in 1840. 

Lot No. 128. A Mary Campbell lot, con- 
taining 118.07 Acres. Was settled by George 
Johnson, but the date of the year, we have not. 

Lot No. 124. A Mary Ann Duane lot, con- 
taining 120.01 Acres. Was settled by Ebe- 
nezer Lincoln. In what year we have no 
n»cord. 

Lot No. 125. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 115.26 Acres. We have no record <'f 
its settlement. 

Lot No. 120, A Mary Ann Duane lot, con- 
taining 1 10,08 Acres. Was settled by 

Allen, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1810, 

Lot No, 127. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 110.(54 Acres. Was settled by Sam- 
uel Millen, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1812. 

Lot No. 128. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 95.99 Acres. Was settled by Thomas 
Clark, but in what year he built the 1st. Log 
House, we can not say. 

Lot No. 129. A John M, Bowers lot, con- 
taining 180,08 Acres. Was settled by 

Ashley, who built tlie 1st. Log House, in 1812 
or '15, 

Lot No, 180. A Mary Ann Duane lot, con- 
taining 1 1 9.82 Acres. Was settled by Charles 



r)S 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



.Slmmway, Avho built the Ist. Log House, in 
1K15. 

Lot No. 131. A Rebecca Scott lot, con- 
taining 96.91 Acres. We have no account of 
its settlement. 

Lot No. 132. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 147.7"2 Acres. Was settled by John 
Ingles who built the L^'t. Log House in 1817, 
-ir '18. 

Lot No. 133. A Rebecca Scott lot, contain- 
ing 107.30 Acres. Was settled by Moses 
Collar, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1806. 

Lot No. 134. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 99.60. Acres. Was settled by Charles 
Thorpe, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812. 

Lot No. 135. A William Pulteney lot, con- 
taining 97.60 Acres. Was settled by Will- 
iam" Oaks, who built the 1st. Log House, in 
1807. 

Lot No. 136. A Mary Campbell lot, con- 
taining 187.42 Acres. Was settled by Fran- 
cis Richardson, who built the Lst. Log House, 
in 1803. 

Lot No. 1 37. A William Pulteney lot, and 
had 90.78 Acres. Was settled by Thomas 
Young, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1811 . 

Lot No. 138. A Harriet Mumford lot, con- 



taining 137.73 Acres. Was settled by Will- 
iam Cummings, who built the 1st. Log House, 
in 182.5. 

Lot No. 139. A Rebecca Scott lot, con- 
taining 123.23 Acres. Was settled by Charles 
AVood, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1830. 

WATER LOTS. 

As we have now given a record of the set- 
tlement of the lots, we will now turn our at- 
tention to the south part of the Hemlock lake, 
which we find upon the map to have been laid 
oflf and surveyed into lots, by the Bowers fam- 
ily, and numbered from 1. to 5., as follows ; — 

Lot No. 1 . Belonged to Mary Campbell, 
and contained 143 Acres. 

Lot No. 2. Belonged to Harriet Mumford, 
and contained 143 Acres. 

Lot No. 3. Belonged to John M. Bower, 
and contained 143 Acres. 

Lot No. 4. Belonged to Rebecca Scott, 
and contained 143 Acres. 

Lot No. 5. Belonged to Mary Ann Duanc, 
and contained 143.38. Acres. 

The above lots, comprised nearly two-fifths 
of the Lake. What was the object of the own- 
ers, we can not say, only that they claimed 
them for water privilege. 











The First Log House in Conesus. 



CHAPTER VII 



£'///• |*/7// ^niifjr.^, ^mifnmt 'ind ^liiiinci.'i of the ^jrhj pettier ^. 



the present day there are left in 
t^^ the Town of Conesus but a few log 
' "^ i^^H houses, to mark the spot that was 
l|^ once the home of her Pioneers. A 
few years more, and they will all be gone; and 
in their places, are now seen some of the finest 
mansions, sourrounded b}' the latest improve- 
monts of our times. 

The Houses of the Pioneers, were of rude 
(•(instruetidu •. built from round logs, notched 
at both ends, and laid up in a four s(|uare man- 
ner, as they were cut from the trees that 
sorrounded the sight of their domain. A few 
years afterwards, some of the early settlers 
having more taste than others, hewed the logs 
into square timber, and laid them up in the 
same way. Some of the houses were larger 
than others, and more or less of them were di- 
vided off into two or more apartments. Some 
would have a second floor, which they would 
use as a chamber, and was constructed by 
placing timbers across from side to side, about 
six or seven f(>et from the lower floor, and then 
(•overing them over with split logs or sliak^, 
for the floor, in place of boards. 

Between the logs, they drove a long wedge 
shaped strij) of wood, and plastered over the 



same, to keep the cold out. For the construc- 
tion of the roof, they used twfi kind of materials, 
straw, shakes or barks. 

The former being made of straw, was thatched 
and held to place by poles; the latter, were 
made of shakes, cut about three feet in length, 
and split from logs, and boutul on by poles, 
pinned down, to keep them in their place. 
The floor was mostly made from split bass- 
wood logs, by placing the round side down, and 
the flat side up, and then hewing them ott' to 
an even surface. 

After they had raised their houses, their tirst 
thing was to cut a hole for a door or window. 
Sometimes for doors, they would hang uji a 
blanket. Others would obtain enough boards 
to make the same. For windows, and window- 
glass, which could not be obtained, they would 
use greased jiaper or tanned skins of animals, 
hung up to let the light in. Their chimneys 
in the first houses, were built of wood, laid up 
similar to the style of their houses, and plas- 
tered over in the inside with mud. Many 
times these frail structures would take fire, 
causing them much trouble. A few years af- 
terwards, they built them of stone, which proved 
more substantial. In the construction of the 



59 



(;o 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



same, they would have a hirge fire-place, big 
enough to roll a large log into it. These 
chimneys, were mostly built on the outside of 
their houses, for the want of room inside. 

In raising their houses, it was the custom of 
the settlers to go far and near, to aid each other. 
Sometimes the ladies would accompany their 
husbands, and while the men was at work rais- 
ing the house, they would spend the day in 
assisting tlie liosless in quilting, sjiinning, or 
some other kinds of work. We are endebted 
to Mr. Alexander Patterson, (diseased) for an 
account of one of these raisings, which took 
place upon Turkey Hill, near the residence of 
Jotham Clark, in the year of 1814. We will 
relate the same, as Mr. Patterson gave it to 
us, as follows: — 

"While I was residing with the family of 
.Mr. Jabez Lewis, a few weeks after I came 
here, 1 had the pleasure of being inviteil by 
-Mr. Asel ('lark, to assist him in raising a log- 
house. As soon as ^Ir. Clark had got ready 
to raise liis house, he asked his neighbors to 
help him, while his wife, invited the ladies to 
:iid her in quilting at his father's house, which 
was near by, where they were staying, until 
they could prepare a home for themselves." 

"Having business at x\von, that prevented 
me from attending in the day time, I did not 
i-^ach home until nearly dark, and being a 
stranger here, and the country new, I reflected 
a long time about starting out alojie, for fear 
of being lost. Gathering up good courage, I 
resolved to make the attempt. So taking the 
directions given by my friends, I set out ; and 
after losing my way several times, I at last saw 
at a distance, a light, which I resolved to ap- 
))roach, and learn where I was. I approached 
the same, and to my glad surprise, I f(mnd 
I had arrived at my destination." 

" On my arrival, I found that the men had 



assembled in the morning, and through the day 
had raised the house, and laid the floor which 
consisted of bass-wood logs, split and laid down 
on the ground with the flat side up, and with a 
pair of adz, they had hewed them ofi" smooth 
as they could, where the edges and ends came 
together. When I arrived I found only the en- 
trence to the building, was through a hole in 
tlie side, which they had cut for a window, 
through which they had entered, having not the 
time to cut a hole for a door. Here I found 
the ladies who had assisted Mrs. Clark through 
the day, and tlie gentlemen engaged in a so- 
cial dance, in which I was made welcome." 

" The twilight hours of night gradually wore 
away, and the time came for us to go home. 
Now v/as a trying time for me. A stranger ii; 
an unknown wilderness to me, and a night as 
dark, as dark could be, no road e.xcept a path 
marked by marks on the side of trees, I knew not 
what to do. WMiile I was meditating as to the 
best course to pursue, a Young Lady, (Miss. 
Kichardson,; who resided near the present sight 
of the Baptist Church at South Livonia, ap- 
|»roaclied me, and asked how I came, and if I 
thought I could find my way home again. I 
soon told her my experience in coming, and 
then she volunteered to escourt me home, 
which I gladly accepted. We soon set out on 
our way, and as we passed along through the 
forest, I was soon startled with fear, by. the 
sound of wolves ; but she laughed at my fears, 
and we soon reached what is now the main road 
between South Livonia and Conesus Center, 
near the present residence of S. E. Sherwood, 
where we turned, and she accompied me until 
we saw a bright light through the forest, at 
the residence of Mr. Lewis, then she bade me 
good night, and set out alone for her home, 
which was nearly three-fourths of a mile dis- 
tant." 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



c.l 



THE CUSTOiMS OF THE EARLY SETTLERS. 

The customs of the Early Settlers, at the 
first settlement of the town, was entirely diflFer- 
eut than those of the present day. Their house- 
hold duties, social relationship and religious 
gatherings were more on an equal footing. 
The poor and the rich enjoyed each others so- 
ciety, without any distinction. All that was 
required of either sex, was a good character ; 
and a person of a bad standing, was discaided 
with all of their dignity. 

The settlers table was not laden with de- 
licious food, such as pies, cakes, puddings and 
other eatables of the present day, but such as 
johnny-cake, baked beans, potatoes, and wild 
meats from the forest. Some were able to 
keep cows, which supplied them with milk, 
which furnished many families more than half 
of their living. Their tables was not the rich- 
est piece of fui*niture, but often a box or chest, 
or a substitute made of poles, and covered with 
boards, and often without a table cloth. Their 
dishes iilso ranked in the same comparison : 
made principally of pewter, or brown clay. 
Their spoons of brass or some other cheap kind 
of metal. Their knives were of steel, but of 
a ruder quality then those of the present day. 
In many instances, the children were not aUowed 
ro come to the table, luitil they had arrived at 
a certain age. Often they were fed by plac- 
ing a pan of milk with bread in it on the floor, 
and each child given a spoon so they could help 
themselves. Oftimes the children would be- 
come angry at each other, fearing that one was 
getting more than the other. 

In many cases their bed-steads were made 
unmovable, being made in the corner, or the 
side of the room, by boring into the logs, 
and sharpening poles and sticking one end of 
them in the holes, and the other end resting 
on a corner post, and then winding across from 



pole to pole, strings made of bark or skins, and 
placing their bedding on top of them, which 
oftimes among the ])oor class, C(jnsisted only the 
skins of animals. 

Their chairs were constructed from split logs 
by boring holes in them, and placing round 
pieces of poles in the holes, for logs, in shape 
of a stool. Their cooking was done, by pots 
or kettles, suspended by a chain hung down 
from a crane or cross- stick in the chimney. 
Their bread they baked in stone or brick ovens 
built out-doors. When ever a family wished 
to use it, they would fill it full of dry wood 
and set it on fire, when the same was consumed 
they would rake the coals and ashes out, 
then place their bread or whatever they wished 
to bake in it, and the heat of the oven would 
accomplish the purpose. A few years after- 
terwards, they improved this mode of cooking 
with less labor, by baking-pans. These pans 
was made of tin, about two feet joiiir, with a bot- 
tom, back and ends, and in these they would 
put wl:atever they wished to bake, and place it 
up before the fire. A short time after this, 
the stoves of the present day came in use. 

Their fire-place, — as we have said, — was 
made large enough, so they could go forth into 
the forest and cut a log, a foot or more in di- 
ameter, and six or eight feet in length, for a 
back log, and then place a smaller one in front, 
and the small wood in the center, for their fire. 
Oftimes they built their doors large enough to 
admit the use of a horse, to draw the log into 
the house with. These back logs would often 
last for several days, and then they would have 
to be replenished. 

Cr.jis or dippers to drink out of, they were 
made mostly from gourds, (a kind of squash,) 
by scooping out the inside when ripe. For 
pans to hold their milk, they used dishes made 
of earthen, while the poorer class used wooden 



r.2 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



iiteusels 

Wlieu the first settlers caine here, on the ac- 
lount of being no grist-mills near them, they 
were obliged to grind their corn by hand. This 
they would sometimes accomplish by selecting 
a large stump, and burning a hole in the top of 
it, and poring the corn in it, and pounding it 
fine, then scraping it out and sifting out the 
finest to make their bread of. In after years 
they obtained iron morters with a j)estle, and 
they considered this a great improvement. 

Their clothing as a class, was generally very 
scanty and made mostly of flax. This was 
spun and wove by the women. The hum of 
ttie old spinning wheels could be heard hi every 
household. When-ever they went a visiting, 
they would take their wheels under their arms, 
which would resound with their songs and con- 
\ersation. So many knots was a days work. 
And then at sunset, nacli would take baby and 
wheel, walk home, get supper for a large fam- 
ily, "• iind wasn't much tired after all." 

For want of shoes or boots, the most of tlieui 
went bare-footed. No boots or shoes of any 
kind were kept for sah', until of recent date. 
Shoe-makers went from house to house with a 
kit of tools, and made shoes for the older per- 
sons. Small children had none. Baby shoes 
was not known. Shoes ft)r women and girls, 
was made of cowhide, with thick souls project- 
ing. I have heard old people say, " So that a 
mouse could run on the rim." Women that 
were able, sometimes had calf-shoes. Oftimes 
when they went to Church, they would take 
their shoes in their hands, and just before they 
rf-ached the Church door, put them on, and on 
tlieir return, take them off again. 

If a man wanted a plow, he was obliged get 
to a carpenter to make the wood-work, and a 
black-smith to pi;t on the irons, and many 
times very clumsy. The first of the plows had 



but one handle ; then they improved them by 
two. The plows cosistcd of a heavy beam a- 
bout seven feet long, with a wooden mol-board. 
Then they had a blacksmith to make the shaire 
point, and wings. When they became dull, 
they were taken off and conveyed to the black- 
smith shop, to be re-sharpened. Over the 
mol-board, oftimes they would nail iron or 
tin to keep them from wearing out. 

Every artisan. had a certain hardship and 
inconvenience in his work then. The weaver, 
the fuller, the tanner, — each had the clumsiest 
machinery, and had to do a vast amount of 
hard work. " Labor-saving machinery " was 
hardly known. Blacksmiths used to do what 
they do now ; but also made scythes, axes, 
hoes, and nails. Every bolt was made by hand, 
and every nail came from the anvil. Black- 
smiths, eighty years ago, used to go from farm 
to farm and shoe oxen where wanted. They 
would catch the ox, lead him into the barn, 
throw him down on some straw, turn him onto 
his back, cross his legs and tie them : and then 
and there the shoes Avere put on. The " ox- 
swing" is of a recent date. 

Generally the good old mothers had to carry 
every pail of water from a spring, from five to 
fifty rods awa3\ Often they would wash their 
cloths at the nearest brook, and hung them on 
poles to dry. Wells was dug as soon as they 
were able to have such luxuries ! Then wo- 
men sto<)ped down and drew up the pails of 
water with poles. The " well-curb," and the 
"well-sweep," was of a later date. Most <if 
the log houses, was located near a spring. 

When they had meeting, all people attended, 
traveling without shoes, and on foot; the aged 
and feeble, and the mother with her babe, 
on horseback. Young ladies walked five jniles 
to church, if need be. It was their custom to 
worship all day. They had two sermons a 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



68 



Sabbath, and each was often two hours long. 

The women and girls w^ere accustomed to 
work with the men in the field all da}' long, if 
occasion required. They not only raised their 
own flax, but they took care of the barn, milked 
and split wood at the door, raked hay, and 
reaped the grain. 'I'hey would lend a hand at 
any job in the smartest possable way, and it 
was considered proper and honorable. Gen- 
erally the "girls " were the smartest rea|)ers. 

At their marriages a hundred years ago, 
they had great gatherings. When the guests 
had assembled, and all was ready for the (X'r- 
emony, the bridegroom was conducted into the 
room, and introduced formally, and jmt int(t 
the proper position before the minister. 'J'hen 
the bride was led in and placed at the bride- 
groom's right hand. The groomsman and 
bridesmaid took their imnifdiately position be- 
hind the pair to be married. The service was 
very solemn and some what lengthy, always 
conniieiiced with a j rayer, and embraced the 
ceremony of ''joining hands." Nor c(nild they 
be gloved hands. Hence, to increase the 
precious formality of the occasion, the minis- 
ter, asking them to "join hands," waited : and 
I hey, jiartly tnrning, each reached back the 
right hand to the attendant behind, to remove 
the glove. This was very elaborately done. 
Of course the two gloves must come off so as 
to free both at the same time. It was a mat- 
ter of very nice importance. Then the hands 
were "joined," some very wise remarks by the 
clergyman, and assent was given to a solemn 
marriage covenant. The whole was closed by 
a second prayer, after which the minister re- 
quested the husband to kiss his newlymade 
wife, which authoriative order was gracefully 
complied with. Then the minister proceeded 
to do the same thing. After him, the gentle- 
men in the company kissed the bride, and the 



ladies the bridegroom. Then they set down 
to dinner, with abundances to eat aad drink, 
and lingered hmg at the board. The whole 
was closed by a "jolly good time," finishing uji 
the day and evening. Often the great old 
kitchen was cleared for a dance. Ceremony 
was over, rules was dispensed with, and the 
laughing guests, the young and old, had their 
own way, and carried their jokes and pleasant- 
ries sometimes to extremes. The lapse of 
years has changed these methods very much. 
It is easy to get married now ; and seemingly 
the same, to become unmarried. 

There were, however, exceptions to this rule 
of ceremonies. For sometimes couples went 
quietly to the minister and was married, after 
which they both mounted upon one horse, or 
proceed on foot to their proposed home. 

Such an incident as this transpired i)i the 
northein part of tlie town. Davenport Alger, 
— then acting as justice of the peace for the 
town, — were surprised one bright sunnner day 
by a young (;on])le c(Miiing to him on foot, and 
requesting him to unite them in the bonds of 
matrinioiiy. Mo saw by their dress that the}' 
were j'oor, for upon their feet they wore no 
shoes, and carried njion their shoulders a coup- 
le (tfsjilint brooms, for to pay their way. 

No sooner than they came into the presence 
of the justice, the bridegroom made known his 
errand by iniforming the " venerable squire," 
that he was poor, and had no money to pay, 
but had brought along a couple splint brooms, 
to renumerate him for his services. 

The justice being a man of deep thought and 
intellectual power, after considering a moment, 
refused to marry them on the ground that a 
man who could not earn money enough to pay 
his marriage fees, would not be able to sup- 
port a wife, aft'^T he was united to (»ne in mar- 
riage. 



(U 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



This refusal threw over the young couple, a 
(lark cloud that shut out the light of a bright 
future prospect. With a downcast counte- 
nance and a heavy heart, the bridegroom once ; 
more shouldered his brooms and with his in- 
tended bride set out on their way home. As 
they reached the top of what is known as Hen- 
derson hill, who should they meet, but the 
iionorable Esq. Blake, of Livonia, coming up 
the same, on his way home. The Esquire be- 
ing acquainted with the bridegroom, and as he 
rode up to him, saw by his countenance that 
he was full of sorrow and trouble, so he ac- 
costed him : " Henry, what is the matter .'" 

" Ah," said Henry, " we have been up to 
Esquire Alger to get married, but having no 
money, but these splint brooms to pay the fees 
with, he refused to marry us." 

"What," said Esquire Blake, "would not 
lOsquire Alger tak<^ brooms for pay V 

" No," said Henry in a sorrwful tone. 

"I will," said Es(|aire Blake, jumping from 
his horse. 

He then requested them to "join liauds," 
and in a few minutes pronounced them man 
and wife, and sent them on their way rejoicing. 
lie threw the brooms over his slioulder and 
mounted his horse, and went on his way home, 
no poorer then wlien he started in the morning, 
for he had sent one couple on their way rejoice- 
ing. 

TROUBLES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS. 

We must not forget ttj mention the trials and 
tribulations of the first settlers of Conesus. 
They had many perplexities and inconveniences 
to discourage them. Their crops oftimes 
would fail them and the deers destroy them. 
Hard times would find them pennyless with a 
large family to support, and a cold winter be- 
fore them. Many miles to go, to reach the 
nearest mill, and this to be accomplished on 



horseback, or on foot. 

In the Spring of 1796, when Jacob Collar 
came to the town, they had no grain, only corn 
that they bought of the Indians. Wheat could 
not be had at any price. This corn, he paid at 
the rate of six shillings per bushel, and ground 
it in a hole of a stump. 

In 1 805, the settlers did the most of their 
trading at Pansville, a distance of nearly 
ten miles. At this time the merchants would 
not sell any person more than a quarter of a 
pound of tea, and two pounds of coffee to a time, 
and the price was from three to four shillings per 
pound for coffee, and from six to twelve shill- 
ings for tea. Sugar and molasses could not 
be got at any price. The northern part of the 
town at this time, did their trading at Lima. 
For the grinding of their wheat and corn, they 
went to Hendock Lake, in the town of Livonia, 
taking their grist on the back of a horse as 
there were no roads but a foot path through the 
forest. 

In 18- lo, the settlers was troubled with smut- 
ty wheat, although their crops were good. In 
this cold season, some of the inhabitants suf- 
fered for the want of provisions. Such was 
the case of Francis Richardson, who settled on 
lot No. loO. a\L-. Richardson was a man of 
limited nieans, and became deeply involved in 
debt, and his creditors, as it was the custom in 
those days, placed him in jail for the same. 
While in jail his fjimily suffered severely for 
the necessaries to sustain life, and when he 
would be released to return to his family, he 
could hardly reach his home circle, before he 
would find an officer waiting to convey him back 
to his old quarters again, upon other accounts. 

Under this cruel treatment, it prayed heav- 
ily upon his mind, that he became insane. So 
procuring a rope, he went into the woods south 
of the present residence of Jotham Clark, Sen., 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



65 



and selected a large tree, with the limbs near 
to the ground, he placed one end of the rope 
over it, and the other end around his neck, 
and launched himself into eternity. 

It was several days before he was found by 
those who was in search of hira, and the body 
had become in a state of bad decomposition, 
that they dug a hole under him, and let him 
down in it, and buried him. 

In the year of 1816, on account of a severe 
tVost, which took place on the 1 3th of July of 
that year, destroyed all of the crops, and 
raused great suiFerings among the settlers. 
Wheat was worth fourteen shillings a bushel, 
and corn ten shilling, and very hard to be ob- 
tained at those figures. Potatoes were worth 
one dollar per bushel, and was obtained from 



Livonia. 

The scarcity and high price of provisions, was 
the cause of great sufferings, among the settlers 
on the Marrowback bills. On these hills, there 
were some who did not have a mouthful of 
bread for three successive weeks. This fam- 
ine caused many men to become insane, on the 
account of the suffering of their families. Such 
was the fate of Micah Spencer, who settled lot 
No. 69 ; being a hard laboring man and <>i' 
proud spirits, the sufferings of his family be- 
came so great, and the impi-ession on his mind 
of their condition, soon made him a raving ma- 
niac. Now in closing this chapter, we mu>t 
say, that we do not realize the sufferings of the 
early settlers, while labdriiigin the wild wooded 
forest of rnu'^sns. 




CHAPTER VIII 



§hc §aufc.*i aff the ^arj^ §etfltis. 



^||iI|l|HEKE .seems to have been two routes 
y ^^ taken by the early settlers in coming 

)^^S to the town of Conesus, to settle. 

' ■^^ One of these routes entered the town 
from the north, and was used mostly by the 
settlers coming form the State of Vermont. 
The southern route, has been better known, 
as the "old Bath road," used by the Pennsyl- 
vanians in their transit here. This route was 
opened at an early day by Col. Williamson, 
who employed a company of Germans to open 
a road through the wilderness, from Northum- 
berland county. Pa., to the Genesee river, near 
the residence of the late Col. Abell. In open- 
ing this route, they first started from W'iHams- 
port, Pa., passing up the Lycoming river, six- 
teen miles north of Trout Hun, then followed 
up the run for twenty-five miles more to the foot 
of Laurel mountains, to the pi'esent sight of 
Blossburgh, Pa., striking the Tioga river and 
following the same down to Canisteo, and from 
there to Painted Post on the Cohocton river, 
and following the same up to a point some three 
miles east of the present village of Wayland. 

The late William Scott, of Scottsburgh, N. 
Y., (who furnished me with the sketch of this 
road,; says he thinks he saw it stated in the his- 



tory of Steuben county, that the route after 
leaving Wayland, passed down through Dans- 
ville to Williamsburgh, which he says he knows 
to be incorrect. 

After leaving Wayland it branched oflf leav- 
ing the Dansville road to the left, taking a 
north-westerly course and passing the head of 
the Springwater valley, hence over Chestnut 
Ridge in the town of Sparta, and passing down 
the hill, and entering upon the farm of Samuel 
Scott of the same town, crossing the gully some 
forty rods east of his house, (this part is now 
used as a farm road by him,) then down the 
hill and crossing the public highway from Co- 
nesus to Scottsburgh, about thirty rods south 
of the late residence of P. H. Conklin, of the 
above town. It then entered Conesus between 
lots No. 108 and 109, then crossed the head of 
the lake valley, to the late residence of Hector 
McKay on lot No. 98, then passing around 
Groveland hill to its terminus on the Genesee. 

The originator of this route was Colonel 
Williamson, who was a native of Scotland, and 
the first agent of the Pulteney estates in Amer- 
ica. When a youth he entered the British 
army, and during the Kevolutionary war, held 
the Ccnnnission of Cajitain, in the '25th reg- 



66 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



67 



imeiit, on foot. His rogiment was ordered to 
to America ; but on the way, was taken by a 
French privateer, and he was taken to Boston, 
and kept in confinement until the close of the 
war. 

On his return to Europe, he made acquain- 
tance of the most distinguished men of Eng- 
land, and was often consulted, concerning the 
American's affairs. On the organizations of 
the association of Sir. William Pulteney and 
nthers, he was offered the appointment of their 
airent for the colonizino; the Genesee forests. 

Having landed at Baltimcn-e, in 1701, he at 
once took the steps as required by the naturali- 
zation laws of this country, and received in his 
■ iwn name from Robert Morris, a conveyance 
nf the Pulteney estates, and began at uncc his 
labor in settling the same. 

In the winter after his arrival, he made a 
visit to the (renesee country by the way of Al- 
bany and the [Mohawk river. In the valley of 
the Mohawk, he j)assed the last of the "old 
settlements." From these (ierman Settle- 
ments, the road was but a lane, opened in the 
woods, passable only on Imrse or sled. A few 
cabins surrounded by scanty clearings, were 
the only indications of civilization which met 
his eyes till he stood among a group of cabins 
at the foot of the Seneca lake. Then the fa- 
mous Genesee estate laid before him. A small 
settlement had been commenced at Canandai- 
gua. The Wadsworths were at Big Tree. 
Beyond, was the meadows of the Genesee 
flats, and a dense forest unknown to the ax, 
which harbored several tribes of Savages bor- 
dering between war and peace. 

Tn the summer of 1702, Tapt. Williamson, 
iletennined to open a road from Northumber- 
land to the Genesee. At the same time, the 
association sent over to America, a large 
coloney of German emigrants, from Germany, 



consisting of about two-hundred persons, men, 
women, and children, who was placed under 
the care of Capt. Williamson. Though stout 
and healthy enough, they were ignorant, and in- 
experienced people ; accustomed to dig with a 
spade in the little gardens of their Fatherland, 
and as unfit for forest life of the frontiers as 
babes. 

It was determined to send them over the 
mountains to the Tioga river, thence up the 
that Valley, and that of Conhocton, to Will- 
iamsburgh, on th.e Genesee. Benjamen Bennett 
— an old experienced hunter, — was at once 
selected as a suitable person, to take charge 
of them in their journey. 

It was in the month of September, when the 
Emigrants appeared at the mouth of Lycoming 
creek ready for their march to their "North- 
ern Paradise." A little ways up the creek, 
they commenced cutting a road. Here, they 
took their first lesson in wood-craft. They 
were not ready apprentices, and never carried 
on the art to perfection. An old gentlemen 
who came over the road a few years afterwards 
says: " Tlie tiees look as if they had been 
gnawed down by Beavers." 

Owing to their extreme ignorance of anything 
pertaining to wood-craft, their march pro- 
gressed slowly, and great suffering to them all, 
and they became mutin(ms. "I c(mld com- 
pare my situation," said the guide, "to noth- 
ing, but of Moses with the Children of Israel. 
I would march them along a few miles, then 
they would rise up and rebell." Once when 
some of the men were very clamerous and even 
offered violence. Patterson (an assistant man- 
eger) stood with his back to a tree, and brand- 
ishing a tomahawk, furirously, said : "If yon 
resist me, I will kill yon — every one of you! 
This restored order once more. 

They worked along slowly enough. At favor- 



(;8 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



able places for an ecampiiieut, they would build 
]31ock-houses, or " Plock," as the Germans 
called them, and then open the road some dis- 
tance in advance, before moA'ing their families 
farther. These houses stood for many years, 
as landmarks in the wilderness. September 
and October passed, and it was far in Novem- 
l>er, before they crossed the mountains. 

At a place now called lilossburgh, they made 
a camp, and called it "Peter's" camp, after 
their cook. Here, Patterson dug from the 
rocks with his tomahawk, pieces of coal, which 
the Germans pronounced of good quality. 

Pushing on seven miles farther, they made 
the " Canoe Camp," a few miles below the 
])resent Village of Mansfield, and when they 
reached this place, their su]»ply of provisions 
fell short. Patterson killed a supply of game, 
and then with souie <if the young men, went 
down to Painted Post, some thirty miles dis- 
tant, and ordered jirovisions to be boated up 
to the place, from Tioga Point, antl returned 
to camp with several canoes. 

When he returned, he found the poor people 
in a state *>i' utter despair. They lay in their 
tents, bewailing their misfortunes; they said 
the Englishman liad sent them here to die : 
he had sent a ship to Hamsburgh, and had en- 
trced them away from their homes ; he had 
brought them over the ocean on purpose that 
he might send them in the wilderness to starve. 
They refused to stir, and begged of Patterson to 
let thenl die. But he was merciless, and blus- 
tered about without ceremony, cut down the 
tent-polds with his thomahawk, aroused the 
dying to life, and at once drove the whole Col- 
oney to the river bank. When the Germans 
saw the slender canoes, they screamed with 
terror and loudly refused to entrust themselves 
to such sculls. The woodsmen, however, put 
the women, children, and the sick into the ca- 



noes almost by full force, and launched them 
forth into the river, while the men followed by 
land ; thus making the journey to Painted 
Post. 

It was now December. They had been three 
months in the wilderness, and were not in a 
condition to proceed any farther toward the 
Genesee. Patterson left them here, and taking 
about thirty of the most trusty ones, kept on 
and opened the road up the Cohocton to Will- 
iamsburgh, and the whole Coloney was con- 
ducted thither in the Spring. 

AVhen the emigrants reached Williamsburgh 
they were jirt)j)erly provided for. Each family 
received a house and fifty acres of land, with 
a stock of provisions for present use, and farm- 
ing utensils; cattle and sheep, was distribu- 
ted among them, and nothing remained for 
them, but to go to work and cultivate the land. 
But they were lazy and refused to do any thing 
for the sustainment of life, and became mu- 
tinous, until at last they dwindled away, or 
the Sheriff" of Ontario, was sent to bring them 
unto submission. This ended the future days 
of Williamsburgh, in the town i>f (jroveland. 

Over this rcmte, the Hendersons, Collars, 
-McKays, .McNinches and other Pennsylvanians 
came, when they came here to settle. This 
gave the settlers many advantages in coming 
and going to their native state. 

rHK NORTHERN ROUTE. 

The Northern Route, entered the town of 
Conesus from the north upon lot No. 6, near 
a former residence of Charles Hitchcock ; then 
passing down the hill upon lot No. 5, arid then 
upon lot No. 14, between the residence of Hiram 
Boyd and Charles Giftord, crossing the flats 
below and passing about thirty rods south of 
the present residence of James M. Alger: 
then upon lot No. 1H4, situated on top of Tur- 
key hill, then upon lot No. 8-J, down the hill 



THE IllSTOllY OF CONESUS. 



CI I 



terminating at the head of Conesus lake or up- 
on lot No. 40. This road was used to a large 
extent by the persons from the north, although 
there was another road at the same time, start- 
ing on lot No. 6 from this road, and went to 
Conesus Center, which was known by the set- 
tlers as a Lumberman's road. This is to-day 
used in part as highway betwean Livonia Cen- 
ter and Conesus Center. 

Before the year of 1815, there was no road 
south of Conesus Center in what is now known 



as Calaboguc hollow. A few years after the 
road to the head of Conesus lake fron the north 
was open, there was one started from Foot's 
Corners (then known as May's Corners), pass- 
ing to the southwest across the flats, striking 
Turkey Hill near the present residence of Ezra 
W. Clark, then up the; hill and intersecting the 
other road on top of the hill. A part of this 
roadway can be seen at the present day, where 
it crossed the flats, upon lands now owned }<%■ 
Ashabel Alger. 




CHAPTER IX 



^hf^ 0lhV"'f^ Jf'iWPA of the ^ann, nnd the ^ir§t §pnn ^evtinq. 




iEFOKE the year of 1819, the town 
^ ot'Conesus was divided into two parts. 
!?i^ All east of the line of lots running 
north and south between lots No. 5 
and 6, on the north line, and lots No. 113 and 
1 10, on the south line of the town, belonged to 
the town of I^ivonia, and all west of the above 
line, to the t(twn of (jlroveland, then in the coun- 
ty of Ontario, N. Y., and since that time has 
been made part of the county of Livingston. 
All of the different articles of agreements for 
lands, &c., that were dated in what is now the 
town of Conesus, bore the indorsement of the 
(^ounty of Ontario, N. Y. 

In 1819 the first attempt at the organization 
of the town took place. But on account of an 
irregularity in the date of calling the town 
meeting, it was not organized until 18"20. 

The first name given to the town, was that 
of Freeport, This name was derived, it is said, 
from the following circumstance : A squatter 
who had been a sailor, settled on a particular 
lot near the brow of the western hill. After 
fencing in a claim, and making some improve- 
ments he was forcibly driven off by the owner. 
The ejection provoked the landless pioneer, 
who, at some pains, published his version of the 



story, urging that however ready other sections 
might be to welcome emigrants, this particular 
region was no "Free-port." 

On the 26th of March, 1825, the Legisla- 
ture changed the name of the town to Bowers- 
ville, in the honor of the Bowers family, who 
then owned a large tract of land here. This 
change was made through the influence of a 
man named Buxby, who slyly circulated a 
petition, unknowned to the leading men of the 
town, and sent it to the Legislature, in the same 
purporting to be the wishes of the majority of 
the town. As soon as the leading men became 
aware of what had been done, they at once 
sent in a remonstrance against it, but for some 
cause it did not reach its destination until the 
act had passed. 

The failure of the opposers to prevent the 
change, filled the Bowers family with joy. For 
having succeeded in having the act passed, they 
took it for granted that it could not be easily- 
changed, and if so, the opposing parties could 
not gather power to do so. 

The opposing were not idle. All through 
the proceeding sunnuer, they formed their fu- 
ture plans secretly, and when the next winter 
came, they sent in a jtetition to the Legislature, 



70 



THE UlSTOUY OF (^ONESUS. 



71 



that on the 15th of April, 1825, that honor- 
:ible body, changed the name to Conesus, after 
the beautiful lake on its western border. 

The First Town Meeting. 

The first t<»wn meeting ever held in the town 
(if Conesus — according to the record kept in 
the "old town book," though disputed by some 
.)fthe early settlers,— was in the spring of 
1S19. This proved to be illegal, for in the 
winter of that year, the legislature passed an 
act to take a part of Groveland and part of 
l.ivonia and form a new township, to be known 
as Freeport. In this act, there was a special 
clause that there should be no town meeting 
i.r election of officers until the next year. 

In some way the news reached the town a 
few days after the act had passed that the two 
sections should be formed into a townshi]*. 
The inhabitants at once called a town meeting 
to be hold at the head of Conesus lake, for the 
election of their town officers. 

In assembling they found great difficulty 
iu finding a man suitable f /r the office of Su- 
))ervisor. They did not consider every man's 
(lualification, suitable for that position. Yet, 
how were they to find out the person who pos- 
ses.sed these (jualifications. After consulting 
among themselves for a long time, they at 
length selected Tommy Collar, to fill that im- 
portant position. Yet how were they to judge 
his (jualificdtions. This was soon settled, by 
considering " a man who kept up as good fences 
as Mr. Collar did, was the right man for Su- 
pervisor." Under this evidences they elected 
him, — although Mr. Collar was not present at 
the time. They also elected Samuel Chapin 
Jr. as town clerk. This town meeting was 
held at the residence of Enoch Squibb. 

After the meeting had passed by, Esq. Blake 
of the town of Livonia came here an<l informed 



them they had been too fast and their proceed- 
ings were illegal. So by the town book, the 
first legal town meeting took place the 4th day 
of April, 18-20, and the following officers wovo 
chosen : 

For Supervisor, 

Devenport Alger. 
For Town Clerk, 

Samuel Chapin, 
For Assessors, 
Jessie McMillin. 
Alexander Patterson. 
Zenas Whiting. 
For Overseer of the Poor, 
Hector McKay. 
Alexander Patterson. 
For Commissioners of Highways, 
Thomas Collar. 
Jessie McMillin. 
Joel Gilbert. 
For Collector, 
Peter Stiles. 
For Constable, 
Peter Stiles, 
llouben D. Jones. 
For Conniiissioners of Schools, 
Jessie McMillin. 
Joel Gilbert. 
Erastus Wilcox. 
For Inspectors of Schools, 
Andrew Arnold. 
Samuel Chapin, Jr. 
Elias Clark. 

The following Path-masters was also elected 
at the same Meeting: 

District No. 1 . Samuel Wisner. 
" " 2. Benjamin Whitney. 
" " 3. Benjamin Griswold. 
" " 4. John Culver. 
'' " 5. Orin Remington. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



" (J. Matthew McNinch. 
" " 7. Ephraim Wilcox. 
'* " 8. Amos Root. 
" " I). Levi Simons. 
" " 10. James Mann, .)r. 
" '-11. Samuel Pike. 
'' " 1'2. Joshua Gates. 
" " 13. Ezra P. Strong. 
'' " 14. Peter Bevins 
" " ];>. Ira Baker. 
" " 1(). James S. Redman. 

" " 17. .lotham Clark. 
" " 18. Joseph Horton. 
The following resolutions was passed : 
1st. Voted to comply with the School Act, 
nnd to raise fifty dollars, for school purposes. 

•2nd. Voted to raise eighty dollars for the 
jMior. 

:>d. \^jted that \V'^aitft Arnold be pound- 
keeper, and his barn and barn-yard, to be used 
as a pound-yard for the coming year. 

4th. V^oted that every path-master, be the 
fence viewer of his district. 

.')th. Voted that Hogs weighing over sixty 
pounds be free to run at large. 

Gth. V^oted that nuile Hogs weighing less 
than ^.'ilbs., not to be allowed to run at large. 
Penalty, $ 1.00. 

7th. Voted that male Sheep not be allowed 
to run at lar'^e from the 15th. of Aug-ust to 
the 1st. of December. Penalty $2.00. 

8th. Voted that male Colts over eighteen 
months old, should not be allowed to run at 
hirge. Penalty, $10.00. 

9th. A'^oted that the next Town .Meeting be 
held at Jerry Youngs. 

On the 17th day of June, 1820, the town 
of Conesus made a final settlement with the 
town of Groveland. We find the same re- 
(;orded on the Town ("huk's book, and it reads 



as follows : — 

"Settlement with Groveland." 
Amount of assesment in Groveland,. . $916.62. 
The amount assesed to Freeport,. . . . 194.85. 
Amount of money for the poor to 

be divided, 45.1 (>. 

Freeport's portion of the money for 

the poor, 9.59. 

Of the $9.59 : two dollars and seventy-eight 
cents, have been applied to the support of 
Richard Smith, leaving a balance of $6.81 
in the hands of the Overseer of the Poor of 
Groveland, due Freeport." 

" Expenses of attending Richard Smith from 
the 1 st Tuesday in April to the 20th of June, 
— 11 weeks at 10 shillings per week — $2.75. 
We have settled the division of the poor mon- 
eys and expense of attending Richard Smith, 
and have agreed to support him in the same 
ratio hereafter, this 17th. day of June, 1820." 

"Supervisors, Wm. Fitzhugh, Groveland. 
Davenjiort Alger, Freeport. 
Overseers of the Poor, 

Robert Burns, Groveland. 

James Rosebrugh, " 

Alexander Patterson, Freejxirt. 

Hector McKay. " 

There was a special town meeting held Sep- 
tember oOth, 1 820, at the residence of Jerry 
Youngs, to rescind some former resolutions, and 
to raise moneys. The Town Clerk's book 
reads thus : — 

"At a 'Special Town Meeting,' Sept. oOtb. 
1820, held at Jerry Youngs, 'Voted to rc^call 
the vote, for which to raise $80 for the poor.' 
Voted to add $80 to the $50 for the schools." 

We also find the following Election Notice 
for the year of 1820, in the Town Clerk's book, 
which reatls thus ; — 



THE HISTORY OF OONESUS. 



78 



" An estimate of Votes taken at the Annual 
ElectioD, held for the town of Freeport, which 
coninienced on Tuesday the 25th day April, 
1820, at the Iiouse of Erastus Wilcox, and 
closed Thursday, the 'iTth, at tlie house of 
(^harles Thorpe, Town of Freeport. County nf 
Ontario, were as follows: — 

For (jrovernor : Daniel D. Tompkins, 1 I 
votes, against Dewitt Clinton, <» votes. 

For Lieut, (loverudr . IJenjamin ^Io(ln■s, 1 1 
votes against John Taylor, (i votes. 

For Senators: Philetus Swift, Nathan Will- 
iams and Nathaniel Garrow, each 1 1 votes, 
against Ephraim liart, Elijah .Mills and Oliver 
Forward, each <i votes. 

For Assembly: John Price, Matthew War- 
ner, Byram (irreen, Elijah 15. Stmng, Hirdsey 
iirooks and James !{osebrnj:h, each 72 votes, 
against John C. Spencer. Trumain Hart, My- 
ri>n HoUey, Oliver Culver, William Cornwall, 
William H. Sjtencer ami Claudeus \'. Hough- 
ton, each -VPi votes. 

We do certify tlic ali'vc to be just and true; 
j>aveii}M rt Alger. 
Sanuiel Chapin, 
Jessie .McMillin, 
Alexander Patterson, 

Inspectors of Election." 

'I'he following Excise Meeting of 1820, was 
recorded in the Town l^iok in the following 
words : — 

''At a meeting of the Commissioners of Excise 
for the town of Freeport, in the county of On- 
tario, on the 24th day of June, 182(1. Pres- 
ent, Davenport Alger, Supervisor of the said 
town, Matthew McNinch and Andrew Arnold, 
J ustices of the Peace, residence in the said 
town, Thomas Collar and Russell Taylor of 
the said town, appears to us for a lisence to 
keep an Inn in town, and to retail liquoirs un- 



der five gallons, as Inn keepers at their Dwell- 
ing House in said town, and we, Commi.ssioners 
aforsaid, having satisfied evidences that the 
said Thomas (^tllar and llusscll Taylor, are of 
gi>od moral character, and suticient ability to 
keep an Inn or Tavern, and that they have 
goood accommodations to entertain travelers, 
and that an Inn or Tavern is absolutely neces- 
sary at the Dwelling House of Thomas Ct)llar 
and Russell Taylor, and for actual acconnno- 
dation <jf travelers aforesaid, it is therefore 
ordered that lisence be granted tt» the said 
Thomas Collar and Russell Taylor according 
to their apjdication.'" 

Davenport Alger, Super. 
Andrew Arnold, ( 
Matthew McNinch, ] Commiss. 

The following by-laws are found in the Town 
Clerk's book, in regard what was to consti- 
tute a lawful fence, and reads as follows: — 

"April od, lS2n. \'oted a lawful fence of 
the Town shall be 4i feet high, and .") inches 
betcen tlie rails, and a fence viewer sliould 
have 7')cts. for each day labor." 

"■April oth. 1882. \'oted a lawtul fence to 
be 5 feet high." 

The following is a list of Supervisors and 
Town Clerks of Ctmesus, from the year of 1 820, 
to 188-'). 

I>IST OF SUPKRVISORS. 

I 820, '21 , Davenport Alger. 
1 822, Samuel Chapin. 
1828, '24, '25, Andrew Arnold. 
182(), Alexander Patterson. 
1827, '28, David C. Higgitis. 
I 829, Andrew Arnold. 
1830, Samuel Robinson, Jr. 
1881, Jotham Clark. 
! 882, Ely Y. Barnes. 
1833, Jotham Clark. 



74 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



1834, '35, Gardner Arnold. 
1 836, '37, Harvey Purchase. 
1838, Hosea Gilbert. 
1 839, Robert Baylis. 

1840, Gardner Arnold. 

1 841 , Robert Baylis. 

1842, Hector Hitchcock. 

1843, Luther Chapin. 

1 844, Hector Hitchcock. 
184.5, Robert Baylis. 

1846, Hector Hitchcock. 

1847, '48, Solomon Hitchcock. 

1849, Robert Baylis. 

1850, Davenport Alger. 

1851, '52, Lewis Kingsbury. 
1853, '.54, '55, '56, George F. Toe. 
1857, '58, Henry L. Arnold. 
1859, '60, 'CI, '62, Ezra W. (Mark. 
1863, '64, R. Fulton McMillin. 
1865, Ezra W. (Uark. 

18()6, Henry (\ Coe. 

1867, Ezra W. Clark. 

1868, Solomon Hitchcock (by appointment.) 

1869, '70, '71, '72, Henry C. Coe. 
1873, '74, Jotham(nark, Jr. 

1 875, '76, Amos D. Coe. 

1877, '78, '79, '80, George F. Coe. 



1881, R. Fulton McMiUin. 

1882, Granger Griswold. 

1883, Amos D. Coe. 

1884, '85. Floyd McNinch. 

Li8T OF Town Clerks. 

1820, '21, Samuel Chapin. 

1822, Andrew Arnold. 

1823, Davenport Alger. 
1824, '25, '26, Peter Stiles. 
1827, '28, David Gilbert. 

1829, Joshua Huntington. 

1830, '31, ',32, '33, '34, '35, '36, '37, Be- 
nona Fosdick. 

1 838, Joseph Wells. 

1839' '40, '41, Charles Pixley. 

1842, '43, '44, Justus Allen. 

1S45, '46, '47, '48, '49, '50, '51, '52, '53, 
'54, '55, '56, '57, '58, '59, '60, '61, '62, 
'63, '64, '65, '66, '67, '68, '69, '7(i, '71, 
'72, '73, Benona Fosdick. 

1874, John F. Clark. 

1875, '76, '77, '78, '79, '80, '81, 'S2, Will- 
iam H. Mills, 

1883, '84, Arthur A. Stark. 
1 885, William Miller. 




CHAPTER X 



'§he fillmjes of §otuBu§." 



^<5ppN 18)<(i, the little town of Conesus 

y^^l|^ has three small hamlets or villages, 

~y^^ known at the present day as (Vmesus 

J,]^ Center, Union (Nirners, and Foots 

('orners. The largest of these villages, is Co- 



Gardner Arnold. This store is said to liave 
been kept in a log building. 

The first hotel was built here between the 
year of 1 830 and '35, by Daniel Bump. It 
was a large three story building, with a base- 

nesus Center, situated nearly in the center of | ment below, and a ball-room iu the upper story. 

the town, and upon the northern bank of Mill j The second story consisted of bed-rooms and a 

setting room. On the floor above the base- 
ment, was the dining-room, bar-njom and par- 
lor. This hotel stood upon X\\^ present sight of 
the Univei'salist (Jhurch : and a few years after- 
wards it passed into the hands of John McVic- 
ar, who owned it for several years. In ISO"), 
he rented it to Horace Bruuson, and in iJSCfd 
sold it to Davenport Alger, who in a few years 
afterward sold it to l.uman Baldwin, who 
owned it, when it was destroyed by the great 
fire of 1871. 

After the fire, Baldwin opened a hotel in the 
present dwelling house of Granger Grisworld, 
for a year or more. In the spring of 1873, 
George K. A'incent opened the present one: 
and in 1 88U, he rented it to Thomas Ward, 
and in 188-2, to S. Robinson, and in 1885, 
sold the same to Davenport Alger, the present 
proprietor. 

The first post-office was opened here in 1819, 



creek. 

This Villagi' contains 2 Stores, 3 Churches, 
'1 Wagon Shops, 1 (irist-mill, 1 Saw-mill, 1 
Harness Sho]), 3 Black-smith Shops, 1 Cabinet 
Shop, 1 Repair Shop, ' Hardware, ] Hotel k 
Town Hall, 1 Millinery Store, 1 Grain Ware- 
Inrnse, 1 Eva]i(n-ator, I Agricultural Building, 
Post Office, and ab<mt 1 UO houses, and a pop- 
ulation of nearly "200 human souls. 

The first settlement was made here in the 
year of 1800, by Jacob Durham, who built a 
log house, a little west of the Grave-yard, and 
on lands now owned by Solomon Trescott. 

The first saw-mill was built here by James 
Henderson, in 1795. In raising this mill, he 
obtained assistance from Lima and I)ansville. 
This mill stood upon the jtresent sight of the 
(Irist-mill. 

The first store was opened here in the year 
of 1817, by Andrew Arnold and his nephew 



75 



76 



THE HISTOKY OF CONESUS. 



and kept at the store of Andrew Arnold. In 
these days, the mail was carried by Post Ri- 
ders, of whom B. F, Fosdick was the same at 
this time, and he brought the mails twice a 
week from Lima or Bloomfield, on horseback. 
Tn 1 828, Sylvester Morris was the first person 
who performed the same service between here 
and Springwater. Tliis route was established 
the spring before, and was continued until the 
liuilding of the Corning & Buffalo Railroad. 

The first church was built here by the Meth- 
odist Society, in 1886. It stood upon the sight 
of their church of the present day. After serv- 
ing them as a place of worship for a number of 
years, it was totally destroyed by fire, Dec. 30, 
1871. The present church was built in I87ti. 

The first shoe-shiip was opened by Andrew 
Arnold and (xardner Arnold, in 1817, and was 
kept at their store. InlSlS, William Will- 
iams, open the first sho|) in a frame building, in 
the town, at this |»lace. We are unable to 
give a list of the different shoe-makers tliat has 
made their home in this village. But among 
those who has once lived here, is that of ('has. 
Beadle, Matthew Mead, William Helm, (-has. 
and Clark Dibble, .losejth Lockwood and Ed- 
win Brown. 

As we have said the first saw-mill was built 
by James Henderson: the next saw-mill, was 
the "old mill " that stood at the south end of 
the east dam of the grist-mill. This mill was 
built by David Coleman, in 1858. It was run 
by a wooden .turbine wheel, and an up-down 
saw. After doing good service to the town, it 
took fire by some unknown cause, on the night 
of Febuary 21st 1873, and was burned to the 
ground. The next saw-mill in this village, is 
that of the steam mill, wow owned by Amos 
D. Coe and Charles Humphrey, built in 1 875 
or '76. 

The first grist-mill, is that of the present 



one which was built by George Rockafellow in 
1840. He owned and ran the same until 1854 
or '55, when there came upon him a financial 
crisis, by a depreciation in the prices of wheat, 
and having purchased heavily upon credit, and 
borrowed capital, he failed ; causing a heavy 
loss to many of the town citizens who had put 
too much confidence in him. After this failure, 
the mill fell into the possession of George F. 
Coe and Robei't Baylis, of which the former 
a few years afterwards, sold out his interest to 
the latter, who retained the same until his 
death, Febuary 7th, 1870. The mill now fell 
into the hands of Ezra W. and John F. Clark, 
until about the year of 1878, when the latter 
sold his interest to Jacob C. Green, who trans- 
ferred the same in 1875, to Clark M. Herrick. 

When the mill was built, it was run by two 
large over-shot water-wheels, each 86 feet in 
diameter, and were placed one -ibove the other. 
When the mill was in the possession of Haylis 
and Coe, they placed a large powerful steam 
engine in the same to drive the mill through 
the dry season of the year. When it came in the 
possession of Ezra and John Clark, they re- 
moved these water-wheels and engine and boil- 
er, and placed in their place, a small turbine 
wheel, engine and boiler, which are used at 
the present day as the motive power. This 
mill has a water fall of 70 feet, being said, to 
be one of the largest in the state. 

A little north of the grist-mill, and on the 
sight of C. M. Herrick's barn, stood the "old 
Mill-right shop," owned by Bell and Hedges. 
When this was built, we have no record; but it 
could not have been far from 1825 or '30. 
This shop was used as a tool and turning shop, 
and the building was set (m posts placed in the 
ground. During the great flood of 1885 — which 
we will speak more of hereafter, — it was swept 
away, and the owners with it, found a watery 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



77 



gave. 

The first cabinet shop and undertaking es- 
tablishment, was opened here in 1 85 1 , by Fred- 
erick Straub. It was in a little old building, 
which had formerly been used for a blacksmith 
shop, and stood upon the sight now occupied 
by the store of Arthur Stark, south of the Uni- 
versalist church. This building being inade- 
quate for liis business, he built the new one he 
now occupies, ui 1856. 

The present store of Arthur Stark, was built 
by Thomas Grover, in the year of 1 885. He 
was soon followed b}' (^harles Pixley, and in 
about 1840, by George Rockafellow, who sold 
a part of the same soon after to Lewis Kings- 
bury. Al)0ut 1842, they sold the same to 
James Dart, who transferred it to l»enjamim 
-Moulton and Clark M. llerrick about the year 
ofl8'J6. The former sold cut to l)avenpi)rt 
Morris, and 1873 or '74, they S(»ld the same to 
(rranger (Jriswold and William .Mills, and the 
former sohl to the latter, about "^ 880, and he 
transferred the store to Arthur A. Stark in 
the spring of 1885. 

The store that stands upon the south-east 
corner, and on lands now owned by Amos D. 
(^oe, was built by (jlardner Arnold, about 1 825. 
In 1827, Jose])h Wells and Foster Foot rented 
the same and occupied it until 1884, when 
Allen & Whitlock bought the same and in a 
few years failed : then it came into Oscar Rip- 
ley's possession, and he^in a few years afterwards 
also failed. It was now bought by Amos D. 
Coe, who occupied the same until about ' S70, 
when he moved the same across the way, and 
has since been converted into a dwelling house 
now occupied by Granger Griswold. 

In this building, was the first millinery shop 
in the town. It was kept by Miss Mary Coe ; 
but in what year, we have no date. She kept 
the same here at the time when it was own- 



ed by Amos Coe, When the building was 
moved across the way, she transferred her goods 
to the dwelling house purchased by her across 
the way from the Methodist church, where she 
carried on business until a few years ago. 

The store that was burned in 1 871 that stood 
south of the present Universalist church, was 
the cabinet shop of Fredrick Straub, rigged 
over into the same soon after he vacated it, and 
moved into his new building. It was first oc- 
cupied by Colvin Barnes & Co., until his death 
in 1868, when it fell into the possession of 
Granger Griswold and William Mills, who oc- 
cupied it until the fire. In this building for 
several years the Post Office was kept. 

The store that now stands on this sight, was 
built about the year of 1875 or '77, and the 
tir^t person to occupy the same was George 
Vincent in ' 87S, who opened the first drugstore 
in the town. He was succedod by Arther A. 
Stark in 1880, who carried on the same line 
of business, and connected with it the grocery 
trade, until 1885, when he moved hito the store 
he now occupies. In the spring after Mr. Stark'w 

removal, it was occupied by Brown 

as a grocery store, and is still in his possessitm : 
but the building is owned by A. A. Stark. 

The store that stands on the north-east cor- 
ner of the center of the village, was built by G. 
Lewis, in the winter of 1882 and '88. In the 
spring he opened in one-half of the store, a 
grocery, boot and shoe store, until January of 
1 884, when he failed. The other half of the 
same, he rented to Miss Emma Scott as a mil- 
linery store, who moved her stock from her 
dwelling house on the " Pinacle '" where she 
was in business for several years before. She 
remained here for one year, and then |retumed 
to her former place of business. 

In the spring or summer of 1874, it came in 
the possession of Clark M. Herrick, who ex- 



rs 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



change his interest in the eating saloon at the 
depot for the same. The building remained 
unoccupied until the spring of 1 885, when it 
passed into J .C. Green's possession, who traded 
for the same his internst in the grist-niill, and 
still owns it. In the spring of 1885, he rented 
it to Mrs. Lockwdod — a lady from Nunda, — 
who opened a millinery store for two or three 
months, and then to Fred. Eno, for a billiard- 
room, being the first tables ever in town. Af- 
ter a few months Eno sold out his interest to 
Davenport Alger, who now occupies the build- 
ing. 

One of the first blacksmith shops was that of 
T. Wells, which stood upon the sight of (jrreen's 
store. It was built at an early day, and he 
carried on business until his death, when the 
building was moved toward the depot and con- 
verted into a dwelling lu>use, now occupied by 
William Miller. 

The blacksmith shop now owned by (jleorgo 
Baker, was built by Moses Kniglitts in KS19. 
It was bought by Solomon 'l'res(-ott in IS51, 
who sold the same to (rectrge iJakor in !S54 or 
'55, who moved it across the way in ISC).!, nnd 
now occupies it. 

There has been at difti rent times, several 
other blacksmith siiops that has sprung up for 
a short time through this village, of which we 
have no deffinite history. Among these is that 
of P. Philhower, situated in the east part of 
the village ; also erne east of the present school- 
house, on the north side of the way. ; one now 
kept in the building occupied by Alex, (xreen, 
who still carries on the same in connection with 
his wagon shop; another by John 1). Webster 
east of the Town Hall. The latter has not been 
in operation for only two or three years. The 
one in Green's building, has been connected 
with a wagon shop for the most of the time. 
Among the owners are the names of Frank 



Huffman, J. V. Jones, William Clark, Or- 
naldo Morris, and others. 

The repair shop of M. Jincks that stands 
east of the Town Hall, was first built in 1880, 
upon the sight of the Agriultural building, and 
in 1882, moved to its present location. 

A store or grocery was kept by L. Snyder 
upon the sight of the Agricultural building. It 
was kept in an extention of a dwelling house 
toward the street. While he owned the same, it 
was destroyed by fire in 1 871 . Upon this sight 
was erected the Agricultural building of George 
W. Baker & Son in 1882, who carried on the 
business until 1883, when they rented it to 
Frank Shafer, who still occupies it. 

The village of Conesus Center at the time of 
the first settlement, was covered with thick 
Pine and Hemlock trees. To day can be seen 
a floor in one of the barns owned by Hiram 
Boyd, that was made frou) trees that grow up- 
on the " pinacle," now occupied by tStark's 
store, Alger's hotel, and the dwelling houses 
of Mariiig, Scott, Ihirrow, Herrick, and others. 
After the building of the Buffalo & Corning 
railroad, the village grew very fast until the 
afternoon of August 'ifith, 1871, when in midst 
of a heavy thunder-storm, a thunder-bolt 
struck a barn of Granger Griswold situated on 
the sight of his present barn, on the lot now 
owned by him — and the building was soon in 
flames. It soon communicated to a barn be- 
longing to Henry Gilbert, situated back of the 
Hardware store of John Dodge ; from this to 
a small Scale building, a few feet south of 
Stark's store; then to a store owned by Gris- 
wold & Mills, which stood on the sight of 
Stark's store : then to a small building used 
as a meat-market north of the same ; then to 
the three story hotel, sheds and barns owned 
by Luman Baldwin, situated on the sight of the 
Universalist church. It now crossed an alley 



-THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



79 



north of the hotel and coDiinunicated to the 
grocery store of L. Shyder. when the wind 
changed, and the fire was stopped. In less 
than an hour, the fire had burned over several 
acres, and caused a loss of nearly $10,000. 
Sniee then, this territory has been rebuilt. 

Union Cornkrs. 

Union Corners — sometimes called " Crockett 
Corners," from a nick-name given it by Lewis 
Clark — is situated about one-half of a mile 
north of Conesus Center, and on lot No. 43. 
It contains about a dozen houses, and a popu- 
lation of about fifty persons. The place once 
contained a hotel, tailor shop and church. 

The first log house was built here by Abel 
Root in 1807. 

The first tailor shop was built by Bates 

in 1 820. Tho- first frame taihir shop was built 

by Gardner in 1 8.S7. It stood upon the 

present sight of thf» dwelling house of Matilda 
Roniig, and after he had carried on a suc- 
cessful business for several years, it was burned 
tlown. The next shop was that of John Magee 
built by him in 1S5(I. This stood upon the 
south-east corner, and was occupied by him 
until Sunday morning, March Gth 1881, when 
by some unknown cause it took fire and burned 
down, with a total loss (except an insurance of 
$1 .500,) to the owner. 

The first hotel was built here in 1 842 or '48, 
by Lewis Clark — better known to the town's 
people, as " Col. Crockett," a name he adopted 
at the time of the Mexican war, and retained 
the same up to the time of his death. He fol- 
lowed the business here until his death in 1874 
when the hotel was taken as a private dwelling 
house by one of his daughters, Mrs. Phoel)e 
Henry. 

Lewis Clark, also carried on the shoe-makers 
trade in the west part of his house, and in the 



little building that stands south of the hotel. In 
this building was the first millinery store, that 
was every opened in this village. This was by 
Miss. Lillie Henry in the year of 1882 or '83. 
1 1 has been used for the past year as a wash- 
board mar)ufactory, by Jincks & Co.. 

The Universalist church, which stands upon 
the road leading from the west, was built in 
1837. (See Chapter on Churches.) 

Union Corners is now simply a village of the 
past. No stores ! no shops I but a resident 
village. The Old Universalist church, is still 
standing to the age of time. 

Foot's Corners. 

Foot's Corners, is a small hamlet situated 
about one mile south of the northern town line 
of Conesus, and two miles north of Conesus 
Center, on lot No. 24. It is a village of ten 
houses and about thirty inhabitants. 

The first settlement was made here by Har- 
vey May, who built the first log house in 1 806. 
This house stood on the south side of the little 
orchard of Franklin Foot, west of the railroad, 
and within a few rods of the same. The east 
and west road at an early day used to pass on 
the south side of this orchard down near to the 
center of the village, and then in a south-west 
course across the flats, toward the residence of 
Ezra W. Clark. 

This village was called for a long time " May's 
Corners," after the first settler; but in 1834, 
Joseph Wells, Foster Foot & Son (Franklin 
Foot), built a three-story frame store in the 
south-west corner of the present door-yard of 
Franklin Foot, and then the name of the vil- 
lage was changed to " Foot's Corners." 

After the firm had done business successfully 
for a number of years, the firm was dissolved, 
and the store fell into the possession of F. 
Foot, who moved away the building in 1881, 



80 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



and converted the same into a hor.se-barn, that 
now stands east of his residence. 

Upon the south-east corner, stands an " old 
frame building" now owned by Ira Foot, that 
used to be used as a taverr), and was built in 
1811, by Samuel Chapin and Harvey May. 
This is the oldest tavern in town, and many 
lively times has been held within its walls. 
It has not been used as a tavern for over thirty 
years, and is now used as a tenant dwelling 
house. 

The first store kept at this place, was in the 
•' old red house " of Franklin Foot, that stands 
on the north side of the road leading across the 
flats. This was in operation at an early day, 
b}- Harvey May, who ran the same in connec- 
tion to a potashery that he owned, and stood 
iin the present sight of Hiram McNinch's 
dwelling houso, on the south side of the creek. 

This store though n it overstocked with goods, 
proved of great value to the poor people; for 
tliey would save up their ashes, and take them 
to this Ashery, and there receive an order on 
the store, and for them receive tlie scanty 
necessities of life, which otherwise tliey would 
have to go without. This mode of business, 
was in operation for several years. 

The first blacksmith shop was built here by 
Daniel Bump, in about 1-S'J5 or '80. It stood 
upon the east side of the road leading to Cone- 
sus Center. In a few years afterwards it was 
moved across the way, on the north side of the 
creek, and there used for several years, and 
in about 1857, was torn down. The next shop 
that was built here, was the Sherwood's sliop 
built by James Ward, of which we have no 
date. Ward carried on business until 1845 or 
'46, when it came into possession of Stephen 
E. Sherwood, who still carried on business un- 
til about 1870 or '75, when it ceased to be 
us'^d for that purpose, except the year of 1880, 



when it was used one year by Alex. Green, as 
a blacksmith and wagon shop together. It is 
now owned by Thomas Grifiin. 

The next blacksmith shop, and one built for 
that purpose, is the dwelling house of Mrs. 
Elizabeth Mc Vicar, and stands south of the 
Sherwood's shop. This was built soon after 
the latter, by a man named Bisbee, who ran 
the same for a short time, and then it was con- 
verted into a dwelling house. 

Foot's Corners at an early day, was a noted 
place for amusements. Here the early settlers 
held their horse-races, shooting-matches, train- 
ings, and other amusements. The road run- 
ning west across the flats, was their race-course. 
Here some of the most noted trotters and run- 
ning horses of the country, was placed against 
eachother. Evenings and Saturday afternoons 
was seldom missed without some of these doings. 
Training days, would fill the place from far and 
near, and oftimes many of them would come, 
simply to get a piece of a loaf of ginger-bread, 
ten or twelve feet long, baked on a board. 
Shooting-matches was all of the toast, which 
consisted of shooting at a mark for a deer, or 
some other kind of game. At night, the sound 
of music was heard in the ball-room of the 
hotel, where the merry couple were trippling a 
waltz, schottische or quadrille, until the dawn 
of morning. 

Scott's Tow^n. 

This Village, is known to but a few of the 
town's people. It was nothing more than the 
immagination of one j)ers«jn's mind. And it 
was thus : — Among the original land own- 
ers were Rebecca Scott, who came here at an 
early day, to make her home on the eastern 
slope of Turkey Hill, a little west of the late 
residence of Lewis Carroll. Here, a little south 
of the orchard, she employed a Surveyor, and 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



81 



laid out a large piece of ground into lots, with 
streets running through it, for a village. The 
lots she tried to sell to the early settlers, but 
no one seemed to fancy lier undertaking's, and 
the scheme at length fell thnmgh ; and the vil- 
lage to be called "Scutt's Town," never arose 
above its birth. • 

Head op thk Lakk Village. 

This village at one time consisted of about 
half a dozen houses, and among them an hotel 
and a blacksmith shop. The village was situ- 
uated in the western part of the town, upon 
lot No. 49, and at the head of Conesus lake. 
The first settlement was made here by James 
Henderson in 1 798. 

The first tavern kept here, was by 



(Jlemons, in a log house, that stood north of 
the residence of Mc^Iillin & Bni., on the iiortli 
side of the Mill creek. Another taveni was 
kept by .Merrett H.iveTis, in an old building, 
that now stands at the forks of the road, south 
of McMillin tt Bro. Another where they live. 
Another was kept by liusitell Taylor in what 
is now the dwelling house of Alanson ('oiler, on 
the ntad leading across the flats. The date and 
history when these taverns were in operation, 
we have not. We find in the town book, that 
Taylor applied for license in 1 820. IIow xnuch 
earlier we can not sa}', as this jiart of the town 
before this, belonged to Groveland. 

The hotel, that used to stand on the west 
side of the flats, was built by Moses King, but 
of what <late we have no record. It was owned 
at difi"erent times, by difl'erent men, and among 
them was Davenport Alger, Try Cole. Wil- 
iard Cole, and was destroyed by fire, while in 
possession of George Pridmore, in 1S81. 

The blacksmith shops of this village, we have 
but a little record. They were not in opera- 
tion here, at any length of time in success- 



ion. A man would come and work at his trade 
a short time, and then move away ; and in a 
few years, another one, and he would do the 
same. 

At the present day, there is nothing left here 
to mark this place as once a small village. 

Clark's Station. 

Clark's Station was situated about one-half 
of a mile south of the north line of Conesus, on 
what is now the New York, Lake Erie & Wes- 
tern Railroad, and now known as the Conesus 
Post Ofiice. This place was never of any size. 
When the Corning & Buffalo railroad was built, 
Adams Clark built a large grain store-house of 
30 X 70 feet square, and engaged in the grain 
market. In one end of the building, it was 
done off" in a setting-room and ticket ofiice, and 
the lluih-oad Company, made it one of their 
stopping places. They also had a watering- 
tank on the east side of the track, on the nortli 
side of the public road, for their engines, which 
they obtained a supply from a spring, east of 
the residence of Mrs. Harriet King, on the 
lands formerly owned by Hector Hitchcock, — 
but now owned by Andrew Kuder. 

In 1 855, Adams Clark died : and the busi- 
ness that once looked forth with every prospect 
of success, vanished, and in a few years, the 
( Vmpany took up the side-tracks, and the place 
ceased to be known as a station. 

The warehouse stood on the west side of the 
track, and on the south side of the highway, 
and after it ceased to be used for grain, the 
setting-room and office was rented to Tliomas 
(iriffin, for a dwelling house. On Sunday 
morning of .\ugust '24th 1802, he and his wife 
rose early, and with out any fire, went to 
church at Livonia (Vntre, and returned at dark 
that night. Having let one of the children 
take the key in the morning, and sent them to 



82 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



a friend to stay vintil tliey returned. So hav- 
ing no key, they were obliged to enter the 
building through a window, and went to bed. 
The next morning they were awakened from 
their sleep and startled by hearing a fearful 
cracking noise in the other part, and to find their 
room full of smoke. They aros6 hastelly, and 
without sufficient time to dress, they made their 
way out of the burning building. Tn less 
then one-half of an liour, they saw all their 
goods they liad in this world, reduced to ashes 
in a firey furnace. 

At this place there was a Post Office estab- 
lished in 18o2, and Hiram Hoyd was appointed 
the first postmaster. The office was kept at 
the residence of Joseph H. Rowland, near by 
on the south side of the public road, and west 
of the railroad. II" is still postmaster at this 
place. 

EH H ATA. 

On Page 77, we have stated tiuit (leoriie K. 
Vincent was the first p<'rson who opened a store 
or drugs-store in Stark's building, south of the 
Universalist church. This is wrong; the store 
was built by parties from Springwater in 1873 



or '74. In 1874 or '75, T. T. Thrall opened 
a dry goods and grocery store, and continued 
in business until 1878, when he failed, and it 
came in possession of George Vincent, as we 
have stated. 

We also forgot to give a sketch of the Har- 
ness shops, that has existed at Conesus Center. 
The first one we have any record of, was opened 
by a man named Busbee, in a building that 
stood a little south of Alger's hotel. This was 
about 188! or '82. In 1 884 or '35, Daniel 
Clark bought the same, and continued busi- 
ness until 1852. The next shop we have any 
record of, was that of George K. \'^incent, who 
opened one in 1871, in what is now Alger's ho- 
tel building, and on the 17th of March, 1878, 
sold out to William .Miller, wlio remained here 
until the Summer of 1874, wlien he moved into 
the building now owned by John Webster, as 
a wagon shop, and remained here until in April 
of 18S4, when he moved into the building he 
now occupies, on the west side of the street 
leading into the village from the north, -.md 
in a s(mth-west direction from the Universalist 
Church, in a building that was built by Tjumaii 
Baldwin for a meat-market in 1 882. 






CHAPTER XL 



^he ^hurches mid geligiaus ^enonwmtians. 



J^i^^l^jjpOW far dijBPerent it is at the present 
' ] gAjJ^ day, than it was at seventy years affo, 

fk in keeping of the Sabbath Day. No 
person in those days what attended 
regular service every Sabbath, regardless of the 
storms, or what else nii<fht happen. Many 
times, when there was no (jhurch near t)y, they 
would make the appointment at some settlers 
house, and then, and th(M-e, the old, the young, 
and all must attend. Sermons oftimes two 
hours long: yet tliey did not complain. At 
the present day, these times are diiferent, and 
among us are man)', who are seldom seen to 
enter the Clmrch door. 

For many years after the first settlement of 
the town of Cnnesus, the "pioneers'" were 
without any regular organized religious society, 
and were dependent on local ministers, for the 
ministration of the Gospel. In the nf)rthern 
part of the town for a time, the nearest place 
of worship, was what was called " Buel's Hill," 
in the town of Livonia, where service was held 
by the Presbyterians. About this time (1800) 
the Baptists held their meetings in the south 
part of the town, at private houses, under the 
guidance of Rev. Goodale, who has the honor 
of being the first minister to preach in the town. 



The first minister who came and made a per- 
manent home here, was in 1808, by the Rev. 
Ingham, of the Baptist persuatiou. 

In 1806, the nearest place of service to the 
early settlers in the northern part of the town, 
was held by the Presbytei'ians in an old frame 
school-house, near Austin WoodrulTs, in the 
town of Livonia. In 1812 the .Metliodists be- 
gan to hold meetings at John .Miller's on lot 
Nit (>., and in 1810, the Baptists began their 
meetings at S(mth Livonia. 

In 181 8, there was a Society formed at Foot's 
Corners (called then May's (N)rners), known 
as the "('hristians," which <inly exsisted for 
a few years. The Rev. Sylvester Morris wns 
of this order. (See his Biographical Sketch.) 

One of the most noted early ministers of the 
town, was Baldwin Wright. This man seemed 
to have been very perscmal in his remarks. 
The following hicident of this veneral)le man, 
transpired near the village of Honeoye Flats, 
at an early day, and came to my notice in an 
old newspaper which was printed a few years 
after, in that (Ontario) County. And in the 
same it reads as foUows : — 

" It is well known to the first settlers of On- 
tario county, that in the vicinity of Honeoye 



83 



84 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



lake, there was many of those reptiles called 
" Rattlesnakes." It so happened, that among 
the poor and very rough inhabitants of this new 

region, there was a family by the name of , 

consisting of a father, mother and several grown- 
up boys, all of which were grossly intemperate, 
vulgar and profane — a perfect nuisance to civ- 
ilized society." 

" On a certain occasion and on a certain 
time, one of the sons above aluded to, was so 
unfortunate as to receive a severe bite from one 
of his neighbors and associates — a rattlesnake. 
The bite was supposed wouhl soon prove fatal 
to the lad, and he, together with the rest of 
the family became excessively alarmed in the 
prospect of the future destiny that it was sup- 
posed awaited the invalid, lie became alarmed 
to such an extent that he appeared to manifest 
symptoms of repentance of his past crimes and 
misdemeanors, and it was agreed by the family 
to send to Elder Wright, to come and converse 
and pray with him who was bitten." 

"The Elder came forthwith, and having con- 
versed a short time with the young man, be- 
came satisfied that he had been " born again," 
and was pretty sure of heaven if he did not 
live too long. The Elder therefore " went to 
prayer ;" and in his address to the throne of 
grace, he laid before the Lord all the circum- 
stances of the case, so clearly and definitely 
that he could not be mistaken, portraying in 
the mean time, the atrocious characters of each 
member of the family, after which he used the 
following feeling and effecting language in tones 
of tlmnder. 'O, Lord I do send more snakes 
into the neighborhood. Jo has been bit, and 
it has brought him to a sence of his sins, and 
to repe"htance — Lord, send more rattlesnakes 1 
O Lord, let them bite the old man, and the old 
womaji. Thou knowestwAo and what they are. 
0, Lord, send snakes and let them bite Jonath- 



an; let them bite Jim; let them bite all the 
FAMILY ; then and not till then will they repent 
and turn to thee. Amen.' " 

Among the early settlers was many strange 
things that has transpired at their Sunday ser- 
vices. Among them were two incidents, which 
we deem too worthy to let them pass, without 
giving them a notice in this book, and they are 
as follows : — 

On a certain time, at an early day, when the 
settlers of the town were holding a scries of 
meetings near the spot, that is now the resi- 
dence of the late Ephraim Cole, on lot No. 25. 
At this time one of the settlers allowed a young 
puppy, to accompany his master to the meeting. 
Through the service, it was the custom for 
many of the congregation to fall upon their 
knees, and join in prayer. On this day, there 
happened to be a young man — though poor 
perhaps — who had attended the same bare- 
footed, kneeled down with the rest, and began 
to give vent to his feelings, in a prayer to his 
maker. While thus praying, the pupjiy noticed 
a movement of the young man's foot, and at 
once began to play with it, by biting and 
snapping at the heel. The young man would 
try to drive the puppy away by pushing him 
off with his foot ; but the more he moved, the 
more playful made the puppy, and more inter- 
rupted was his remarks. 

In this way he proceeded through his prayer, 
and at the close of the meeting some of his 
friends asked him, why he did not make a bet- 
ter prayer. " How could I," said he, " when 
a person had a puppy at his heels'?" This re- 
mark, was a by-word of the settlers for a long 
time afterwards. 

The other incident transpired upon the Mar- 
rowback hills, a number of years ago. At this 
time, a series of meetings was being held at 
what is now called the Webster's school-house. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



85 



Two worthy members of the society, who lived 
near by and tended meeting here, became deep- 
ly enraged at each other, over some dogs be- 
longing to one, which had killed some sheep 
for the other. When these two men would 
happen to mei^t, they would cast all the ven- 
gence of language against each other. Not on- 
ly at business places where they would meet, 
but at last they carried it in the midst of their 
Sunday services. So, one Sunday in the midst 
of the services, when the members were ex- 
pressing their repentances for their bad doings 
through the week, these two men arose to do the 
same, but was soon drawn into a bitter dis- 
course of words, and each accusing the other of 
the misdeeds in his past life. 

At this time there happened to be a brother 
member in the congregation, whose misfortune 
in life, it was to be deaf, and seeing his broth- 
er's motions, and by the same saw what he 
took to be an earnest stippllcatiou in tlie behalf 
of tiie Lord. He arcse from hi^ seat, and 
commenced to address the congregation as fol- 
lows: — " Brothers and Sisters! I am so hap- 
py to-day to see the interest that our two be- 
loved Brothers, are taking in the behalf of 
the Lord." This was enough ; and the two 
angry men dropped into their respective seats, 
as if a cannon-ball had fell into their midst; 
and for years afterwards they lived in peace. 

In the early days of the town, it was not 
singular to see all the ministers use liquor 
before going to Church, as they thought in 
those days, that it helped the service, by en- 
lightening their intellect, and gave them smint- 
ness in speaking. Whenever there was an 
ordination, or any inijiortiiiit ceremonies to take 
place, the " little brown jug" was also found 
there to assist them. It was not an unusal 
thing to see a minister under the influence of 
the same. Those days are now gone, and with 



them, many queer notions of the past. 
The Methodist Church. 

Rev. John Hudson became a resident min- 
ister at Conesus Center in 1815 ; and in 1816, 
the Methodists organized a society here, and 
he became their pastor. The records of this 
church from this date, up to building of the 
first church in 1837, are now lost. The dedi- 
cation of their first church, took place the 'i7th 
day of that year, under the guidance of James 
Hemmingway the Presding Elder, and a board 
of trustees consisting of Thomas Young, Jes- 
sie Gray, and Justis Allen. The builders of 
the church was C. M. Crego and Samuel Mc- 
Ninch. This church was erected upon the 
sight of the new church, and was a large square 
building, and in front of the same was the an- 
teroom, and stairs going from the same to the 
galleries. Inside of the service room, waswitl. 
pews (.ni the lower floor, and a gallery above 
them on three sides of the building, with the 
center opened, facing the jiulpit, which was on 
the back end of the house. It had a tall square 
steeple. The same in after years was torned 
down, and a small bell-tower used in its place. 

This building was destroyed by fire, Decem- 
ber 80th, 1871 : yet, the origin of the fire has 
never been discovered. There had been ser- 
vice the evening before, which had lasted until 
10 o'clock, and at mid-night, it was discovere<i 
to be on fire, byayoiuigman who was spending 
the ev«ming with a lady friend near by, and 
gave the alarm, but to late to save the noble 
structure, from the fate tluit awaited it. 

After the church was destroyed, the socict\ 
held their meetings in the school-house at Co- 
nesus (^enter, for nearly two years: and then 
in the basement of the Universalist church, 
at that place. In the Summer of 1870, they 
built the New Church, which was dedicated 



86 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



November 15th, of that year. This church is 
situated upon the street leading into the village 
from the north. It has a basement, and the 
service room is above the same, with a anteroom 
as you enter the building. The architect and 
builder, was Rev, Marean — a Baptist minister 
— of South Livonia. The board of trustees 
consisted of David Coleman, Samuel Maring, 
William L. Perrin, Orville Chapin, and Daniel 
Trescott. The structure cost the society 
$4,000, which was raised by public subscrip- 
tion, of which a large portion of the same was 
donated by members of other denominations. 

In 1880 or '81, there was an attempt, by 
some miscreant, to destroy this noble edifice, 
by setting the same on fire. This evening there 
had been an entertainment at the Universalist 
chun;h, and a young man, who had attended 
the same, had left his horse hitched under the 
sheds of this society, and about 1 1 o'clock 
that niglit, when he went to get his horse to go 
home, he discovered fire breaking out through 
the clapboards on the gable end, upon the back 
side, and immediately gave a alarm, which was 
quickly responded to by several other persons 
and with their aid, succeeded in extinguishing 
the fire and save the church, which if it had 
not been for the timely discovery, it would 
have been beyond their control. On entering 
the building, they found a tallow candle set in 
a wooden block, and around the bottom, there 
iiad been rags dipped in kerosene, and rapped a 
short distance from the blaze, so it would give 
ample time for the incendiary to make Isis es- 
cape, before the burning of the building. Af- 
ter the fire had been extinguished, they found 
the candle as described, which had been placed 
in the garrett, where it had been consumed, 
and the smoking rags found around the same. 
The damage to the church, was but little, ex- 
cept a few burnted clapboards on one end. 



This society is now in a prospering conditien 

under the pastorship of Rev. Arther Newton, 

and the regular service hour, is held at 11 
o'clock, A. M., each Sunday. 

The following ministers has been in charge 
of the society since 1836, namely; — 

1st. E. Thomas, Year of 1836. 

2nd. Jacob Scott, " 1837. 

3d. William Jones, " 1838. 

4th. Garlos Gould, " 1839. 

5th. Chandler Wheeler, " 1840. 

6th. Shelden Doolittle, " 1841. 

7th. C. L. Brown, " 1842. 

8th. Wesley Cochrane, " 1843. 

9th. John Wiley, " 1844. 

10th. E. 0. Hall, " 1845. 

11th. George Wilkeson, " 1840. 

i2th. Theodore McElhaney, " 1847-8-9. 

13th. Hiram Sanford, " 1820. 

14th. Veranus Brownett, " 1851-2. 

15th. Z. L. Buck, " 1853. 

16th. W.M.Haskell, " 1854. 

17th. James Dodge, « 1855. 

18th. Samuel McGurald, " 1856. 

i9th. Otis B. Weaver, " 1857. 

20th. Myron DePuy, " 1858. 

21st. Isaac McMahon, » 1859-60. 

22nd. James Knapp, " 1861. 

23d. L. J. Rodgers, " 1861-2-3. 

24th. E. Lattimer, " 1864. 

25th. Robert E. Hancock, " 1865. 

26th. John Parker, " 1866-7. 
27th. D. Hutchins, ) 

•28th. Blakesloy, \ " 1868. 

29th. T. J. 0. Wooden, " 1869-70. 

30th. G. J. Duboise, " 1871-2. 

31st. J. Duncan, " 1873. 

32nd. J. W. Blanchard, " 1874. 

33d. A.M.Bancroft, " 1875. 

84th. Robert T. Hancock, " 1876. 

35th. J.D. Recqua, " 1876-7. 



THE HISTOKY OF CONESUS. 



87 



36th. J. W. Barnet, " 1877-8. 

37th. Porter McKinstrey, " 1879. 
38th. A. E. Tanner, " 1880. 

39th. Ilawkens, " 1881. 

40th. A.J.Abbott, " 1882-83. 

41st. Cownians " '884. 

42th. Arther M. Newton, " 1885-6. 
The following is a list of the Officers, Teach- 
ers, and Scholars, of the Methodist Sunday 
School, January 1st, 1886. This school was 
organized October 1st, 1885, and is held at 
the church of the society, every Sabbath after 
the day service, and is in a prospering condi- 
tion. 

Officers. 
Rev. A. M. Newton, Superintendant. 
Rancehann Gray, Assistant Superintendant. 
Miss. Roma Gray, Librarian. 

" Grace Losey, Assistant l^ibrarian. 
Daniel Trescott, Secretary. 
Mrs. Clara Darrow, Treasurer. 
(^LAss A., Rancehann Gray, Teacher. 
(Bible Class,) 
James Patterson. Mrs. Jane Xorttiru].. 

William Whiteman. " Wm. Whiteman. 

Roy Coleman. " James Patterson. 

Mrs. Clara Darrow. " Frank Mann. 

" David Coleman. " Alice Fox. 

Class B., Mrs. Losey, Teacher. 

Sally Ingelow. Arvilla Brown. 

Kate " Matie Gray. 

Alice Dean. Nellie " 

Class C, Mrs. Oscar Chapin, Teacher. 
Velma Chapin. Bert Mann. 

Elmer Orr. Charles Mageo. 

Charles McMillin. Jessie Gray. 

Katie Gray. 

Class D., Miss. Grace Losey, Teacher. 
Mary Jacobs. Luke Jacobs. 



Nettie Orr. 
Mattie Fox. 



Grace Darrow. 
2 Patterson Girls. 



The First Universalist Church. 

In 1 835, there was a large number of Uni- 
versalists in tcwn, who had no place of wor- 
ship. On the 19th of December, they formed 
themselves into a society, to be known and 
called the " First Universalist Society of Co- 
nesus." Among the members of this organ- 
ization, was Joshua and H. J. Huntington, 
Gardner Arnold, Hosea Gilbert, Davenport 
Alger, Alexander Patterson, Enoch Wilcox, 
Robert Baylas, Solomon Hitchcock, Timothy 
Degraw, Lewis Clark, David Gilbert, Samuel 
Buckley, Abial Stevens, Hiram Boyd, Darias 
Morris, Jarvis Beach, who subscribed liberal 
toward the society. 

Soon after the forming of the orpnizatiou, 
they at once commenced the building of achurch 
at Union Corners, which was completed in 
1836. 

The old building— after standing the storms 
of fifty years— is still to be seen to-day stand- 
ing at the head of the street, leading into the 
village from Foots Corners, in a dilapidated 
condition. This church has been the scene of 
many large congregations, who so often in the 
past has assembled for worshiiJ. Those days 
are now past; and to day it stands with it.^ 
wooden pews and galleries around the build- 
ing, like some lonely sentinel, who had been 
deserted by all of his comrades, and left to 
perish. 

Among its venerable Pastors of the years 
gone by, we find upon tlu- roll, the names of 
Rev. O. Roberts, Thomiison, O. K. Clark, J. 
Sage, J. Dobson, who pored forth their elo- 
quence within its walls. To-day, there is no 
service held here, and the prosperous Sunday 
School, under the guidance of that venerable 



88 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



worker, Mrs. L, B. Annis, has been moved to 
the new church, at Conesus Center, 

Thk Second Universalist Church. 

In the year of 1(S68, Gardner Arnold died, 
and bequeathed property toward the erection 
iif a new uhurch, td bo situated at Conesus Cen- 
ter. Under this arrangement, the first society 
became divided, and part went and joined the 
new church, and part remained with the old. 
This division, has proved almost the destruction 
of both societies ; as at this church there are but 
few in attendance at Sunday service, while at 
the other, there is none, of what was once a 
large and prosperous society. 

The church was erected by the new society 
in 1873, and was dedicated by Rev. W. B. 
Liandolh in 1 874. It is a large square build- 
ing, (if two story in liiglit, tlio upper one being 
used for the service room, and the lower story 
or basement, for donations or church festivals. 
The i-liurch is situated upon the street leading 
into the village from the north, and upon the 
sight of the Cftnesns hotel, that was burned on 
the eventful night, of August '20, 187'. 

The first pastor of the church, was Kev. (x. 
\V. Montgomery, who presided for three years; 
then Rev. Baker for one year more ; then Rev. 
Nelson Slinell for another year; then Rev. John 
C. Mclneruey, who came in 1880, and pre- 
sided for two years. He was followed by Rev. 
Shnell in 1 885, who is now the present pastor, 
and holds service here every other Sunday. 
At this church, they have a re-org;inized Sun- 
day School, (the first school was organized in 
the ..Id church Mi.y 24, 1 8('8, with O. VV. 
Morris and .Mrs. L. B. Annis as Superintend- 
ants and fifteen scholars,) and the following are 
a list of the Officers, Teachers and Sch(ilars. 
This re-organziation took place. May 24, 1885 
and holds its Bession every Sunday. 



Officers. 
Mrs. L. B. Annis, Supt. 

" I. Havens Thomas, Asst. Supt. 

" John McVicar, Sect. & Treas. 
Miss. Romilla Gray, Librarian. 

Class A., Mrs. George F. Coe, Teacher. 

(Bible Class.) 

Mrs. John Webster. Miss. Jennie Allen. 

" Stephen E. Sherwood. " Frank Doud. 

" Edward Cole. " Kittie Alger. 

" George Jerome. " Barber. 

" Lucius Doud. " Kate Ingelow. 

Edward Cole. 
Class B., xMrs. Edwin Brown,Teacher. 
Miss Phillie Leonard. Miss Grace Clark. 

" Minnie Degraw. " Matie Boyd. 

" Lucy Alverson. *' Hallie Kuder. 

" Blanche Bailey. " Lena Durkee. 

Class C, Frank P. Shafer, Teacher. 

Frank Ingelow. Lewis Cole, 

Johnie Mc Arthur. John Durkee. 

J. Adams Clark. Welton Jewell. 

Charlie Beutly. Seward Durkee. 
(!harles Jewell. 

Class D., Mrs. Havens Thomas, Teacher. 

Miss Marion Ingelow. Miss Belle Thomas. 

" Aggie Sommers. " Alice Wester. 
" llattie Durkee. 

Class E., Miss Rilla Degraw, Teacher. 

Fred. Sommers. Charlie Follet. 

Charles Follet. ^ Orange Green. 

Ciiarlie Sommers. Harry Follet. 

Fred. Alverson. Hooker Griswohi. 

Ashe Durkee. Walter Ingelow. 
Bertie Mann. 

Class F. Miss \ ill.i Brown, Teacher. 

Lula Morris. Matilda Clark. 

Daisy Durkee. Annie Franks. 



THE HISTORY OF C'ONESUS. 



89 



C'LAiSS G., .Miss Carrie Sounuers, Teacher. 
Ashley Cole. (ieorge Webster. 

Victor 11. lioyd. Ueorgie Franks, 

.lohiinie Franlcs. I). A. Reeves. 

Erue.-.t Colo. Willie Ihirkee. 

Lester Durkee. 

Class II., Mrs. Hellon R. Shafer, Teacher. 
Aggie Clark. Cora Robbins. 

Hellen Durkee. Knna M. Shafer. 

Onolee E. Shafer. 

St. Wii,li.\im's ('ATiiour ('HURrH. 

The Church edifice of tliis society, was erec- 
ted through the Suujiner of 187(), and finished 
on the "ioth of November of that year, through 
the energy of Rev. Fatiier Seymour, then pas- 
tor of St. .Michael churcli, at Livonia (Vnter, 
and from that place he held service in (\inesn.s; 
once in three or four weeks. Previous to the 
building of the church, the Catholics had no 
regular place for holding service, until the 
school-house was openeil to them by the trus- 
■ tees at (\)nesus (Vnter. 

The church erected by this society, is a neat 
edifice, situated on the top of a hill, in the east- 
ern part of the village, and is finely situated so 
as to overlook the same. The groiuids was 
first purchased by William -Vgan, a member of 
the society, of whom much is due for his untir- 
ing energy in procuring a {)lace of worship; 
he was assisted by many Non-Catholics of the 
town, who cnutribuied liberally toward the so- 
ciety. The menjbership numbers about twentv 
families. Among them are those <if (\iii. Mc- 
(rinty, Patiick Ryan, Harney Lawn, William 
Dunn, Martin Rurrigan, Thomas Griffin, James 
Conlon, William Agan, Thomas Finigati. 

The first minister was f^xther Seymour, who 
presided here from 1 875, to 1 876 ; then Father 
Murphy from 1876 to 1883; then Father 



llendrick. Service is now held every third 
Sunday at 9 o'clock, A. M. 

The.se three societies, are the oidy .societies 
that have churches in the town. Among the 
ilenominations having no churches, are the 
.Millerites, Spirilualists and Raptists, who has 
held .services in some of the churche.s or school- 
hou.ses. The former at one time had a lai-ge 
number of members, and in their belief on a 
certain day they would all leave the earth and 
enter heaven bodily. Several times this day 
has been set : and on one occa.sion, the members 
had their robes made for the a.scension, and at 
the appointed time enrobed themselves fo the 
occasion. Rut " Gabriel failed to blow the 
horn," to their bitter disappointment. Late 
years, they ceased to be known as a society. 

The Spiritualists at one time were quite nu- 
merous, and several of their noted speakers, as 
Dr. Spraoue, Mrs. .Vllen and Dutton etc., held 
services in the «dd I Miiversalist church. Hut 
the death of .Miss Roimer of Avon, caused some 
to discard that belief. To-day they are still 
some strong believers, who at one time atten<led 
the Universalist meetings when they ilid not 
have any meetings of their own. 

There are also a number of what is known 
and called the " Shouting .Methodists," in the 
.south part of the town, who was at one time 
under the guidance of Rev. Stanton, Daniel 
Foster and Polder Peck. They held their ser- 
vices in the basement of the New Universalist 
church, and in sciiool-hotises in the town. 

The Raptists has several members in the 
southern i)art of the town, who attend services 
at Scott-sburgh. The two last named .societies 
to-day have no organized society here ; al- 
though at one time the members of the former 
were quite numerous, and increased in num- 
bers vary rapidly. To-day many of them has 
become members of tlie .Methodist church. 



CHAPTER XII. 



\chaals mid ^chool ^istriiits ojj the ^own. Sc. 




lEARLY twenty long years rolled a- 
way after the first settlement of the 
^ town, before the pioneers realized the 
necessity of preparing a school to ed- 
ucate their young, that they might grow up to 
manhood and womanhood, and be leading men 
and women, in the society that would in the 
future surround them. 

The first school of tliis kind was commenced 
and taught in the northern part of Conesus by 
Miss Polly Howe, in a little log school-house, 
situated in the "little orchard" of the late 
John D. Alger, north of Ins late residence. 
This school was kept in the winter of 'SIO. 
The next summer Miss Howe changed her name 
by marriage, to that of Mrs. Joshua Gills. 

This school was so(m after moved ft-om here 
to lot No. 183. now owned by Ezra W. Clark. 
The school-house — which was a log building — 
stood upon the old road, leading from Foots 
Corners to Turkey Hill, and about one hun- 
dred rods north-east of the present residence 
of E. W. Clark, in what is now his pasture lot. 
The foundation stones, of the old wooden or 
stone chimney are plainly to be seen to-day ; 
and that is all that is left to mark the spot 
where the birch rod, taught the pupil how to 



shoot. This log school-house a few years af- 
terwards was moved to the sight of the present 
school-house in District No. 1. 

Before this date, the diiferent schools in the 
town, were kept at private, or at log school- 
houses, regardless of districts, until the first 
organization in 1820. At one time there was 
no less than fifteen school districts in the town ■ 
but at the present day they have dwindled down 
to nine as follows : — 

District No. 1 . The school-house of this 
district is situated in the northern part of the 
town on lot No. "24, and a little north of Foots 
Corners. This district was first organized by 
James King, Andrew Arnold and Benjamin C. 
Whitney as commissioners of schools, March 
19th 1823. At this time, there was a log 
school-house (which we have already men- 
tioned), stood on the lands now owned by E. 
W. Clark. On the 29th of December, 1829, 
the present sight was bought, and the next 
year the old log school-house were moved up- 
on it, and in a few years afterwards torn 
down, and the red school-house built. This 
was succeeded by the present one in 1869. 

While building the present school-house, 
there transpired one of the most singular inci- 



90 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



91 



(lent, that was ever known to have taken place 
in the town. Thi^; took jilace on the 'i'Jlntl day 
of September in lS(il(. The contractor (A. 
Keys) had several young men employd upon 
tli'.^ same, who was very fond of huntinir, shoot- 
ing at the mark &e. South-east of the build- 
ing was a lot owned by Mr, Franklin Foot, 
and nearly across it was a small rise of ground 
or knoll, with a hollow beyond it. Upon this 
rise of ground, there was several woodchucks, 
that had made this grounds their habitation, 
and through the day would come out to feed. 
These woodchucks was an eye-sore for the boys, 
;ind they long to try their skill as marksmen, 
in shooting at them. 

So one day they brought a rifle, and in the 
forenoon they shot several times at intervals at 
the woodchucks, and as it seemed to them with- 
out success, as each time the woodchuck would 
disappear into their holes in the ground. 

In the afternoon some of tliem happened to 
go over the rise of ground, and there to their 
siir]irisp, found a two years old steer of Mr. 
Fo()t lying in a little hollow in the ground with 
a bullet-hole through its head. It seems that 
the steer as he was lying in the hollow, had 
been in a direct line of the woodchuck, yet so 
low in the hollow, as to be utmoticable to the 
marksman. 

This discovery caused a commotion among 
the boys or workmen, as they all felt that Mr. 
Foot would he vexed at tiit'iii for shouting on 
liis lands without peniiission. But Providence 
had paved them a way out of trouble, and al- 
low them to correct their wrongs. This day 
,Mr. Foot had gone to (Vtliocton on his wedding 
day, and was to return the next day, on an 
t'vening train. The boys of the neighborhood 
had made arrangements to give him on his return 
a reception as it is termed, " a mid-night ser- 
enade." 



As soon as this accident had happened, Mr. 
S. Thorpe — a personal friend of Mr. Foot, — 
saw that it would be better for all parties to 
have an immediate settlement, called uj>on his 
friend soon after his arrival, and explained how 
matters stood, and soon effected a settlement ; 
which was the payment of a reasonable sum to 
Mr. Foot for the steer, and the postponement 
of the "mid-night serenade." 

DisTRicr No. 2. This district is situated 
at the head of Conesus lake, upon lot No. 50, 
and called the " McMillen" district, on the ac- 
count of the school-house being surrounded by 
lands owned by R. F. and B. F. McMillen. 
The district was organized by School Connniss- 
ioners Andrew Arnold, James King and Ben- 
jamin C. Whitney, March ITtli, 1 H-i8. A few 
years ago the district repaired the school-house, 
and is now in a prospering condition. 

DisTKiCT No. 8. This district is known a.s 
the Calabogue district, and is situated in the 
southern part of the town, and the house is up- 
on lot No. 88. It was organized March 17th, 
1828. under the direction of Andrew Arnold, 
J ames King and Benjamin C. Whitney as Coui- 
missouers. The school is quite small, to what 
it once was. 

District No. 4. Known as the ('onesus 
(Center district, and was organized under the di- 
rection of Andrew Anioid, .James King ami 
Henjaiiiin ('. Wliitney as ( "ommissioncrs Alarcii 
ITtli, 1S28. Tlie tirst scli(iol-house, was a red 
house with two departments — one ft»r the ad- 
vanced scholars, and the other a juvenile de- 
partment, — and was situated upon lot No. ')2, 
a little north of the .Methodist church, on lands 
that is now a part of the Conesus Center cem- 
etery. 

Through the winter of 1869-70, the district 
after a series of meetings, resolved to change 
the sight and build a new school-house. After 



92 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



liaving several sights in view, they at last se- 
lected one on the street leading from the Center 
to the Depot, and at once contracted with A. 
Keys to build them a house, which was finished 
that Summer. The building is two story in 
hight, the upper being used for the small schol- 
ars, and the lower for advanced classes. This 
district, is the only district in the town, that 
lias two teachers. They are also the only 
ilistrict in the town that has a school-bell. 

District No. 5. This district is situated 
in the western part of the town, and the school- 
house stands upon lot No. 98, and is often 
called the ''(Juldner" district. It was organ- 
ized under the direction of .James King, An- 
<lrew Arnold ami Hemjamiii C Whitney as 
Commissioners, .March 17th, 1823. The 
school-house is in good (Condition, and the 
school is prosi»ering. 

nisTRicT No. ♦!. This district is in the east- 
ern part of the town, and the school-httuse is 
on lot No. 88, and is often called the " Web- 
ster" district. This district was organized 
under the directions of Jessie McMillin and 
Erastus Wilcox as Commissioners, January 
21th, 1821. This school is not large, and the 
school-house is small. 



District No. 7. This district is known as 
the " Pine Wood's " district, in the south-east 
part of the town. The school-house is situated 
upon lot No. 131 , and was organized under the 
direction of Jessie McMillin and Erastus Wil- 
cox, as Commissioners, January 21st, 1821. 
The district has a good school-house, and is in 
a flourishing condition. 

District No. 8. This is a "joint district," 
part of it is in Livonia, and a part in Conesus, 
and is often called the " Hart " district. The 
school-house is an old one, and is situated up- 
on lot No. 3, of this town. The disti-ict was 
organized by Andx-ew Arnold, James King and 
Benjamin C. Whitney, as Conunissioners, 
March 1 7th, 1 823 The school is -in a good 
condition. 

District No. 9. Sometimes ^called the 
" South Webster" district, and is situated in 
the south part of the town, with the school- 
house upon lot No. 138. Is was organized un- 
der the direction of Eli Steadman and li^rastus 
W^ilcox, as Commissioners, November 3(»th, 
1820. The school-house is an old one, and 
the school is small. 

The other seven districts that once exsisted 
in the town, has been added to the above nine. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Cemeteries and ^^id^mics ofi the ^awn. Sc. 




^■*^ONESUS, at the present day has four 
rj^ Cemeteries named Union, Conesus, 
fOli^'i^ Conesus Center and Arnold Cemetery. 

°f' The ohlest, no doubt is tlie Union 
Cemetery, whioh in former years was called 
the " McKay Burial (xrounds," and is situ- 
ated iu the south-west part of the town, upon 
lot No. 108, and about tliree-fourtlis of a mile 
north of tlie village of Scott.sburgh. The tirst 
person buried here, we have no record, but 
witliout doubt it was Elizabeth Collar, whose 
iuuuortal remains was laid to rest in the year 
1801, being the first white person we have any 
record of, that died in the town. If she is not 
buried here, her grave must be lost, as it was 
the custom of many to bury their dead at dif- 
ferent places in the forests. 

To-day we find that there has been tour 
places of this kind in the town, that is now 
overturned by the white man's plow. One of 
these places, is situated in the woods of Wil- 
liam Gray south of Conesus Center, a little 
east of his farm barns and close to the fence 
on the south side of the road leading to Web- 
ster's Crossing. At this place is the graves of 
several persons, which were buried here about 
1806 or '10, by the name of Griffin. 



The next place is a little east of the resi- 
dence of Ezra Gray, north of Conesus Center, 
known as the family burial place of the Young's 
family. Some of these graves was in the late 
years moved to Geneseo: The grounds is now 
plowed over, and the remaining graves lost. 

Another place is near the residence are Mrs. 
John Jewell in the eastern jiart of the town, of 
which we have no record of. 

The fourth place is situated upon the top of 
tlie hill east of the residence of lliram .McNinch 
at Foot's Corners, upon lands now owned by 
Franklin Foot. This burial jilace consists of 
several graves — mostly of children — who was 
buried here many years ago. The graves are 
now lost, and the ground is plowed over and 
tilled as agricultural grounds. 

Union Cemktery. 

'I'he Union Cemetery — forndy called Mc- 
Kay Burial Grounds — is suposed to have been 
given to the public, by Mrs. Rebecca Scott, an 
heir of John Bowers one of the original land 
owners, for that purpose. The land was under 
no incorporated society, until May 4th, 1 878, 
when Jacob Bean, Sanmel Buskirk, William 
C. Morris, William Wilber, William Magee, 



93 



94 



THE UISTORY OF CONESUS. 



John C. Campbell, Henry Bean, Hugh Magee, 
J. J. Gray, James McNinch, W. F. Barnes, 
Maron Cole, Orrin Hubbard, Jehiel Alger, 
Samuel Fiister, D. H. Foster, Franklin Traxler, 
Ralph Foster, Elihu Hedges, Ijeonard Millin 
and A. B. Pickle, formed an Association to be 
called as above. 

The first Trustees of the Association were 
Jacob Bean, Henry N. Bean, James C. Mc- 
Ninch, William Morris, D. H, Foster and 
P. H. Conklin, and the annual meeting is held 
on the '2nd Saturday of April, each year. 

Soon after the organization was effected, they 
commenced to improve the grounds by en- 
larging them, and building a suitable fence 
— with an arched gate-way — around to protect 
them, and also other improvements, so as to 
render it a fine sjiot for the last resting place 
of the dead. 

The first person buried here, we have no re- 
cord ; but as we have stated, we believe it to 
be that of Elizabeth (^)llar, who died in 180!. 
In this cemetery, rests the last of the remains 
of Daniel Shays, the noted leader of the famous 
rebellion of 1 780, known as " Shay's Insurrec- 
tion." This old man we will speak more of in 
the future. 

CoNE^US CkMETKRY. 

Conesus Cemetery — formerly known as the 
Alger or Boyd Burying Grounds — is situated 
in the northern part of Conesus, upon lot No. 
3. This land was originally given by Mrs. 
llebecca Scott, and consisted of nearly three- 
fourths of an acre, and is pleasently situated, 
and will be a fine burial place when the snciety 
finishes the improvements they are now engaged 
in. 

The first burial here was the daughter of 
Davenport and Mary Alger, aged one year and 
eleven months, August 2nd, 1810. At the 



time of the death of this child, there was no 
burial place nearer than Scottsburgh or Li- 
vonia Center, and not having conveyances and 
roads as they have them of the present day, 
Mr. Alger went forth into the forests, and se- 
lected this spot, which was covered with " oak 
openings," and directed the under-brush to be 
cleared off a small piece of ground, to bury the 
idle of his heart. A short time afterwards, 
was borne to this spot, the remains of Gilbert, 
Moore and Lewis, to be laid beside of the little 
one, that had gone before them. 

The cemetery from that time until 1805, 
increased rapidly to nearly three hundred per- 
sons. In that year, under the energy of Mr. 
Hiram Boyd, who raised a subscription, and 
with the proceeds had the yard cleaned out 
and alleys cut between tlie lots. The cemetery 
remained undisturbed except for burials, until 
June Uth, 1884, when Franklin Foot, John 
D. Morris, Jotham Clark Jr., Alfred Sliker, 
William P. Boyd, llomeyn W. Cole, Eugene 
Cole, Edward P. Clark and Ira Foot, met and 
formed an Association to be known and called 
the "Conesus Cemetery Association," and the 
Trustees to be Jotham (Uark Jr., Franklin 
Foot, William P. Boyd, John 1). Morris, Ro- 
meyn W. Cole and Alfred Sliker, of whom the 
board made Jotham Clark Jr., Pres.; Franklin 
Foot, Vice Pres.; William P. Boyd, Treas.; 
Rom(^yne W. Cole, Sect., being the first Ofii- 
cers of the Association. 

At the town meeting in the spring of 1885, 
the town voted to give the society a deed, which 
was properly done, and the society at once be- 
gan to improve the grounds, first enlarged the 
same by buying on the north, east and west 
sides, fifty-three square rods, and putting a new 
fence around the same. This smnnier they 
will complete other improvements, to make the 
same, a fine burial place as any in the town. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



95 



CoNESus Center Cemetery. 
This Cemetery is situated in the northern 
part of the viUage of Conesus Center, and on 
hit No. 52. At first it contained about one 
acre of hind, but in 1 ^;7 ! , the ohl school-house 
sight that laid south of it, was abandoned for 
school purposes, it was added to the cemetery, 
making the same nearly an acre and one-half 
in size. The cemetery lies north of the Meth- 
odist church, and on the highest point in the 
village. The first burial here, we have no rec- 
ord, but must have been about the year of 1 825 
or '30. This cemetery is under no incorporated 
association; yet we find upon the town book, 
a vote taken at the towu-uieeting, March 4tli, 
1873, as follows ;— " That David Coleman, 
B. F. McMillen, Henry C. (%>e, L. B. Bich- 
ardson and Andrew Arnold be elected trustees 
of the Old Cemetery grounds at Conesus Cen- 
ter." The cemetery is highly indebted to the 
perseverance of Andrew Arnold in raiding 
funds to keep the same in repair: and t.i-(hiy 
its looks, shows the necessary care of that be- 
nevolent man. 

Arnold Cemkterv. 

This Cemetery is situated in the eastern part 
of the village of Conesus Center, and on lot 
No. 53. The land was donated for the same 
by Gardner Arnold in 1874, and reserved by 
him until his death for this purpose. It con- 
tains about two and one-half acres of land, and 
is rapidly being filled up with graves. 

The first organization was formed January 
23d, 1874, and Snl.minn Hitchcock, Heiu-y H. 
(Gilbert, Alanson B. Annis, William H. Mills, 
Granger Gr is wold and Daniel Wilder were e- 
lected as trustees, and this board selected from 
among its number for their officers, Solomon 
Hitchcock,- Pres ; Henry S. Gilbert, Vice Pres: 
Alanson Annis, Sec; William H. Mills, Treas. 



Epidemics. 



The town has been visited by several epi- 
demics in the past years, in the shape of the 
small-|K)x, scarlet-fever, diphtheria l-'tc, and 
some of them proved quite fatal. 

One of the most exciting times, was in the 
year of 1847-'48 : it was in the winter time, 
and the small-pox broke out at Foot's Corners, 
and a large number of persons became exposed 
and many eases, yet only one proved fatal. 
This was .Martha Smith, who .lied February 
20th, 1 848. 

This disease was brought here by two Miss 
Nortons, who had been to Vermont on a visit, 
and on there way back, when near Palmyra, 
there happened to be a railroad accident, and 
they were obliged to resume the rest of the way 
to llocliester in a Packet-boat, and upon this 
boat was a man who had the small- pox, and 
from him they took it unknown to them. 

The family of Smiths— wh(. was in moderate 
circumstances— lived in an ohl Imusc tliat stood 
upon the sight of the present residence of Hi- 
ram McNhich, and Mrs. Smith went to the 
home of Mr. Norton,- who lived in the " old 
red-house" now owned by Franklin Foot— and. 
borrowed their washing-machine unknown to 
his family, and from the same took the disease, 
lu this state of excitement, she without 
doubt did not have proper care, although the 
neighbors did all they could for them, except 
their going into the house, and would carry food 
and set it at their door, and when they were 
gone, it was taken in by the family. 

Slie died just at night, and Seymour Norton 
and Foster Foot, worked all night in making 
her a burial-casket, " as good as farmer men 
could make." She was then borne to the grave 
wit hout any minister to say " farewell." 
There were about twenty persons exposed 



96 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



and taken down with the disease, yet they all 
recovered. Once or twice since, the same dis- 
ease appeared in the town, but to no extent. 

The next was the frightful scarlet-fever. It 
was in February of the year of 1845, when it 
entered the family of Lawrence Sliker, living 
on the south part of Turkey Hill. In this fam- 
ily it proved fatal ; for on the 6th day of that 
month, two of their children lay corpse in their 
house at onee. 

In 1841, it entered the household of Isaac 
Bearss, and on the I3th, and 15th of January, 
respectively, two of their loved ones, was swept 
from their midst. On the 'iTth of July, and 
August 3d, 1860, two of Oliver Dean's child- 
ern with the same disease, bid farewell to this 
earthly world. There has been several families 
in the past years, who has lost one child, and 
some the only one they had. 

The next dismise was tlie diphtheria, and 
more or less of the cases proved tatal. in De- 
cember of 1 863, it entered the family of Eliph- 
lett Kelleman at Foot's (Vomers, and on tlie 8th 
and lUth of that month, swept two of his hived 
ones — Windfield aged four years, and Charlie 
aged eleven — to the other world. On the 24th 
of April and 29th of November of the same 
year, it carried off two children of Isaac Bearss 
— Benjamin and Martha, aged respectively 36 
and 15 years of age. 

Other diseases has been quite prevailing, 
yet to no serious extent. 

Deaths in tiik T<iwn krom 1861 to 1886. 

The following is a list of deaths in the town 
from the year 186! to 1886, as taken from Di- 
aries kept by Hiram Boyd, and furnished by 
Frank P. Shafer, from records kept by him. 
Without doubt they are not complete, and may 
in some instances vary a day or so in date, but 
are as complete as I were able to obtain them. 



Year of 1861. 
February 15th. Mrs. Sheldon Wilcox. 
Mach 24th. Ashabel Stephens. 
April 22nd. Lester Carroll. 
" " Pathuel Payne. 
June 29th. Frankie Barnes. 
August 28th. James Fogarty. 
September 21st. George Macomber, Killed. 
October 17th. Mrs. Colvin Barnes. 
December 17th. Jasper Erwin. 
" 29th. John Ingles. 

Year of 1862. 
January 8th. James Havens. 

" 14th. Mrs. Ellis Carroll. 

February 9th. Isaac Kelleman. 
March 9th. Rebecca Scott. 
" " Hannah Bennidict. 

" 22nd. Benjamin Bennidict. 

C. Wilder. 
" 28th. Esther Wheaton. 
August 3d. Kittie Coe, killed. 
December 9th. Mrs. John Hart. 

Year of 1863. 
January 30th. Jerome Henry. 
February 22nd. Lawrence Sliker. 
March 3d. Harriet Ingles. 

" 24th. James May. 
April 24th. Benjamin Bearss. 
:May 2nd. Sally McNinch. 

" 22nd. Henry Erwin, Jr. 
June 8th. Vance McNinch. 

September 22nd. Baker. 

October 20th. Mrs. Adaline Snyder. 



November 13th. 

" 27th. 

" 29th. 

December 3d. 

8th. 

" 10th. 

13th, 



Watson Thomas. 

Arron Degraw. 

Martha Bearss. 
Mrs. Chandler Morris 
Winfield Kelleman. 

Charlie Kellciuan. 

Even Thomas. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



97 



December 27th. Jacob Collar. 

'• 29th. Mrs. Edwin Baylass. 
Year of 1 864. 
January 2nd. Mrs. Henry Brown. 

« 28th. Lockwood. 

February 9th. Child of Franklin Foot. 
March ! ith. Mrs. James McNinch. 
" 18th. " Austin Woodruff. 
May 7th. Dayton Henry. 
August 6th. Grustavus Baylass. 
September 28th. Ellen Johnson. 

" " Lillie Erwin. 

October 2nd. Lawrence Baldwin. 

" 80th. Ella Hoes. 
November 29th. Barney Kusic. 
December 1st. Lilly Erwin. 

Year of 1 865. 
February 8tli. Edith Ripley. 

" 16th. Mrs. Wooster Bearss. 

April 9th. Sylvester Morris. Sen. 
" 2(Jth. Mrs. Franklin Foot. 

Year of 18«i6. 
January 1st. Bean Gruldncr. 
" 10th. Kittie Magee. 
April 30th. Elisher Webster. 
May 23d. Lucinda Yeomans. 
December 8th. Frederick Jewell. 

Year of 1867. 
January 16th. Alexander Patterson. 
February 8th. Mrs. Franklin Foot. 
April 30th. James Carroll. 

Year of 1868. 
Fabruary 15th. Mrs. James Dart. 
" 16th. Marshall Morris. 

'• 25th. George Henry. 

" " J. Andrew Wester. 

April 2nd. Gardner Arnold. 

" 23d. Jane Partridge. 
June 14th. Samuel Campbell. 



July 2nd. Mrs. John Alger. 
" 3d. Child of Charles Homes. 
" 3Uh. Charity Clark. 
September 7th. Mrs. Jotham Clark Jr. 
" " J. Colvin Barnes Jr. 

" 11th. Colvin Barnes. 

October 28th. Nathaniel Cole Sen. 

Year of 1 869. 
February 4th. Jaiues Finigan. 

" 13th. Child of Elias Bearss. 

June 10th. Arche Alger. 

" 26th. Ernest Patterson. 
July 29th. Martin Griffin. 
August 28th. Georgie Foot. 
December 18th. Sarah Erwin. 

" 26th. Mrs. Ansel Ginnie. 

Year of 1870. 
February 7th. Joel Gilbert. 
" " Robert Baylass. 

" 8th. Child of Harrison Pattridge. 
'' 10th. Mrs. William Harder. 

" " Jennie Parridge. 

" 11 til. John Matharty. 

" 28th. C^hild of Luman Baldwin. 

July 11th. Mrs. Charles llitclicock. 

" 29th. Thomas Grinnell. 
October 16th. Theodore Redman. 
November 3d. Mrs. William Clark. 
" 30th. Charlie Lowery. 

Year of 1871. 
January 7th. Mrs. Jessie Gray. 

" 24th. Clament Clark. 
April 21st. Mrs. Myron Ray. 
May 1 7th. Hugh Magee. 

" 29th. Gardner Wood. 
July 16th. Mary Griffin, Drowned. 

" 22nd. Pheobe Wilson. 
August 4th. Gabriel Sliker. 

" 9th. Child of John Ingr^hnv. 
" 10th. Nathan Hewitt. 



98 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



November 10th. John Moffett. 

Year of 1872. 
January 12th. Sybil Perrin. 
February 25th. Andrew Holmes. 
March 2nd. William Dunn. 

" 5th. Mrs. James Dennison. 
" 24th. Nellie Brean. 
April 7th. Ethridge Fish. 
" 14th. Nathaniel Cole Jr. 
« 23d. Abial Daniels. 
May 4th. Levi Moyer. 
" 7th. Mrs. Samuel Sliker. 
" " Seymour Redmond. 
" 10th. Child of Jacob Wester. 
" 15th. Mrs. John Spencer. 
" 18th. Florence Webster. 
" Horace Hill. 

June llth. William Lawn. 

" 14th. Mrs. Even Thomas. 
July 12th. Annie May, Killed. 
September 6th. Mrs. Hugh Magee. 

" 8th. Child of Nelson Gilbert 

November 7th. Alanson Northrope. 

Year of 1 873. 
February llth. Mrs. Benonia Fosdic. 
Child of Edward Cole. 
'' 15th. Mrs. Thomas Bell. 

" Matilda Sliker. 
April 21st. Michael Cary, Killed. 
" 24th, Mrs. Jessie Gray. 
" 28th. " Timothy Degraw. 
August 24th. Orlando Webster, Drowned. 
September 8th. David Romig. 

" 12th. Edward Holmes. 

Year of 1874. 
March 26th. Alda Burch. 
April 19th. Mrs. Heman Barnes. 
May 12th. William Landres. 

" 13th. Robert Smyth. 

" 14th. Mrs. J. C. Hunt. 



June 24th. Ezra FoUett. . 
July 3d. Child of M. V. Jones. 

" 6th. Mrs. Ruth Allen. 

" 7th. James Webster. 
August 4th. Lucius Purchase. 
December 10th. Rebecca Bearss. 

Year of 1875. 
January 7th. Mrs. Lewis Carroll. 

" 21st. " Parmela Jewell. 
February llth. Sally Bearss. 
March 5th. Benona Fosdic. 

" 8th. Garber. 

" 12th. Mrs. David Partridge. 

" 21st. " Henry Smith. 

" 22nd. Andrew Arnold. 

" 27th. Gilbert Marsh. 

" 29th. John Jewell. 

" 30th. Mrs. William Magee. 
April 4th. Mra. Jasper Hendershott. 

" 9th. Ansel Jenny. 
May 17th. Mrs Mary Bronson. 

" 21st. " Johnathan Chapin. 
July 26th. Jerry Baldwin. 
August 18th. Helen Gray. 
November 15th. Mrs. Lawrence Webster. 

Year of 1876. 
January 2nd. Mrs. Nicolas Pickle. 
February 2nd. Jones Scott. 
" 7th. Hugh T. Magee. 
" 10th. Garrett Daniels. 

" 13th. Mrs. Garrett Daniels 

March 25th. Fred. Straub Jr. 
April — Amos Miller. 
June 23d. William Scott, of Scottsburgh. 
" " Bertie Trescott. 
" " Estella Jones. 

" 29th. Mrs. Elisha Webster. 
July 1 St. Willie Smith. 
" 21st. Mrs. Hannah Barnhart. 
September 2nd. Joseph Collar. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



99 



" 7th. Mrs. Nathan Hewitt. 

" 14th. " Nathaniel Dean. 

November 24th. " Daniel Clark. 

December 6th. Archabald Coleman. 
15th. William Sliker. 
28th. Mrs. Myron Ray. 

Year of 1877. 
January 15th. Mrs. Eliphlett Kelleman. 
February 14th. Sylvester Morris. 

" 18th. Lucy Stevens. 
March 2n(i. Samuel J. Scott. 
" 7th. William Harder. 
" 8th. Hugh Magee. 
" 9th. Mary Ann Whipple. 
" 12th. Enfield Crego. 

15th. Mrs. Sally Clark. 
« 30th. Child of M. V. Jones. 
April 23th. " " " « 

" 25th. Mrs. Richardson. 

May llth. Mrs. John Holmes. 
June 4th. Child of M. V. Jones. 
" 12th. Mrs. Peter Clark. 
" 29th. " Elisha Webster. 
July 10th. Child of Charles Gifford. 
September 2nd. Joseph Collar. 
" 9th. Ulysses Pickering. 

« 14th. Wakeman Cole. 

October 4th. Charles Magee. 

Year of 1878. 
February 2nd. Child of Lewis Taylor. 
March 2nd. William Dunn. 

" 7th. Mrs Simmons. 

« " " Matthew Scott. 
April 2nd. Isaac Buskirk. 
May 28th. Mrs. William Trescoti. 
June — Mary Lewis. 
August 3d. Isaac Bearss. 
November 10th. Aaron Washburn. 

« 14th. William Gray. 

December 26th. Mrs. Elizabeth Haynes. 



December 28th. Frank Alger. 

Year of 1879. 
February 28th. Clara West. 
August 15th. George Mc Vicar, (in Mich. 
October 15th. Mary McNiiich. 
December 3d. Michael Callahan. 

Year of 1880. 
January 19th. William Holmes, Killed. 
February 8th. George Weeks. 
" 18th. Henry Kavanaugh. 
" 22nd. Henry C. Coe. 
« 23d. Mrs. Horace Hill. 
" 24th. James McMillen. 
March 14th. Suel Brown. 
" 25th. James Dennison. 
" 30th. Jacob Barnhart. 
April 21st. Geo. Rockefellow, Neb. 
May 17th. Mrs. William Harder. 
" " " Erastus Knowles. 

" 21st. Charles Hitchcock, Jr. 
September 14th. Mrs. Henry Smith. 
November 9th. George F. Coe. 
'• 21st. Celestia Webster. 

December 15th. Stephen Gould. 
Year of 1881. 
January 1st. Tyranus Ripley. 
" 8th. Myron Ray. 
" 12th. Willie & Tommy Buckley. 
" " Child of Corda Trescott. 
" 26th. Willfred Morrell. 
February 19th. Charles Kavanaugh. 

24th. Sarah Clark. 
March 9th. Mrs. Daniel Hoes. 
" 7th. " Samuel Compton. 
" 19th. Wllliard Bearss. 
" olst. Mrs. Henry Coe. 
May 10th. " Jotham Clark. 

August 1 7th. Frank Jerome. 
September 7th. Hattie Howitt. 
" 28th. Aaron Degraw. 



100 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



October 8th. Child of Walter Chapin. 
November 8th. Mrs. William Magee. 

" 14th. " Gardner Arnold. 

" 17th. Ann Buskirk. 

" 24th James Bonner. 

Year of 1882. 
January 1st. Frank Kinney. 

" 23d. Mrs. Nathaniel Cole. 
" 26th. David Lewis. 
February 6th. Mrs. Sybil Burch. 
" 15th. Alfred Coleman. 
March 3d. Rodney Sherwood. 
" 18th. Mrs. William Polland. 
" 23d. " Parsey McNinch. 
April 4th. Child of Albert Jerome. 
" 17th. " " Allen Compton. 
May 3d. John Magee. 
" 18th. AdaAmer. 
August 13th. Philip Conklin. 
September 21st. Mrs. Lucy Patterson. 
December 4th. Kphram CoK', 

Year of 1<883. 
February 7th. Francis Aimstrong. 
April 15th. Mrs. Isaac Kelleman. 
" 18th. " Hiram Boyd. 
" 23d. " Eliza Austin. 
May 4th. John D. Alger. 
June 2nd. David Partridge. 

" 27th. Mrs. Edward P. Clark. 
July 16th. Dennis Ratherly. 
November 15th. Mrs. Ella Sage. 
December 1st. D. Thompkins Campbell. 
" " Jessie Calkins. 

Year of 1884. 
January 2nd. Lewis Carroll. 
February 5th. Harriet Ray. 
March 14th. Lemuel B. Richardson. 
May 16th. B. F. Cole. 

Year of 1885. 
February 1st. Child of Sanford Allen. 



" 3d. Chandler Morris. 

" 9th. Mrs. Solomon Hitchcock. 

" 10th. " Washburn. 

" 22ud. " Albert Acker. 
March 6th. Elias Bearss, (in Livonia.) 

" 12th. Mrs. Sally Weeks. 
April 1st. William Masten. 
" 17th. Mrs. William Wiliston. 
" " Potter Austin. 

''• 22nd. Child of Robinson. 

May 7th. " " Frank Acker. 

June 21st. Dewitt Alger. 
July 30th. Hugh Magee. 
August 7th. Mrs. Clarence Bayla.ss. 
September 11th. James Myers, Killed. 
" 18th. Mrs. Homer Jincks. 

" 25th. Samuel Compton, Killed. 

October — William Snyder, Killed. 

" 25th. George Leonard, (Akron O.) 
December 17th. Jacob C. Green. 
The names of Jacob Barnhart and Wife, 
Mr. Landres, Mat. Undergrove and Mrs. Rich, 
ardson, death we have no record of. 

Deaths by Accident. 

Since the first settlement of the town, there 
has been many accidents, causing the death of 
several persons by drowning, others being killed 
and some mangled for life. I will give only 
those under this heading, that are not connec- 
ted in any other chapter in this book. 

Just west of the grist-mill of C. M. Herrick 
and E. W. Clark at Conesus Center, and on 
the west bank of the gull as it turns its course 
toward the lake, can be seen the spot where 
the ill-fated Hamilton made his famous leap 
unto death a number of years ago. The rocks 
at this point are perpendicular, and nearly 70 
feet in hight. Hamilton at this time was un- 
der the influence of "delirium tremens"' and 
escaping from his friends, made a quick move- 



THE HISTOKY OF CONESUS. 



101 



mcnt, and reached this spot before they were 
aware of his intentions. As soon as they 
missed hiiu, they rushed to the east bank, and 
as they saw him, he stood upon the brink of 
the other with his coat off and swinging his 
hands over his head, and the next instant he 
leaped out in the deep abyss, and fell a man- 
gled corpse on the rocks below. He left a wife 
and several children to mourn his loss. 

On the 26th of June 1869, was the death of 
Ernest Patterson, aged about four years, and 
a son of Robert Patterson, then living in the 
northern part of the town. Mr. Patterson had 
a boy to work for him, and on the evening of 
this day he was away from home. The boy took 
a couple of colts out of the stable to lead to 
the watering-trough in the ripad on the Gifford 
place. When in front of Patterson's residence, 
the little boy came out and recjuested to be 
placed on one of the colts back, as he had done 
before. The hoy thoughtlessly, took up the 
the little boy and placed him on the colts back, 
so he could ride to the watering-trough and 
back. No sooner thaii the little boy was farely 
seated the colt began to prance, jump and 
play and in doing so, threw the boy over his 
head, and as he struck the ground, the horse 
stepped on his breast, killing him in an instant. 

In the Spring of 1851, Mr. Mattliew Allen, 
living on the east side of the head of the Cone- 
sus lake swamp, — upon the place now owned 
by Daniel Mason, — was in Blount Morris and 
came acro&s a poor boy by the name of Johnnie 
Barnum. The lad's parents were both dead, 
and having no relatives hei-e to befriend him, 
was turned out to a L-<'ld world to seek a shel- 
ter from some kind friend. 

When Mr. Allen saw him, he took pity up- 
on him, and brought him home to live with 
him. Johnnie was a bright boy, and had a 
good disposition, and tried to do all he could 



to please his kind friends, so that they became 
deeply attached to him. 

On Sunday morning, August 27th of that 
year, Mr. Allen had some horses running in a 
pasture lot north of the house, and among them 
was a mare and colt, which he requested John- 
nie to ketch and turn into another pasture. 
Johnnie took the halter and went into tho lot, 
and up to the mare to catch her, when she sud- 
denly wheeled about and kicked with both hind 
feet, striking him in the stomacli, and knock- 
ing him down. This was a fatal blow ; for it 
ruptured an intestine, and for four days he 
laid in great misery, until the olst, when death 
ended his sufferings and he went home to his 
maker. 

In December of 1865, the citizens of the 
town was surprised to hear of the accidental 
shooting of Bean Guldner, in the Head of the 
Lake swamp. Guldner had been out this day 
hunting for rabbits, and in stepping /tver a log 
in the swamp, his gun was discharged, and he 
received the discharge tlirough the muscle of 
his arm. As soon as he was able after the ac- 
cident, he managed to get out of the swamp to 
a straw- stack in the lot below the residence 
of Havens Thomas — a brolhor-in-law on the 
west side of th« swamp, — and there from ex- 
haustion he laid down on the straw. Here 
^Ir. Thomas' people saw him, and went and as- 
sisted him to their house. Guldner lived but 
a few days ; for the lock-jaw soon set in, and 
on the'. 1 St of January he breathed his last. 

On September 17th, 1880, Charles Mefford 
— a young man of the town — was out hunting 
and carrying his gun with the hammer raised, 
cau-ht his foot on a rail and fell, causing his 
gun to go off, and he receiving the contents 
through the umscle of the right arm near the 
shoulder. So close was the gun, that i>iecesof 
his clothes was driven into the arm. No 



102 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



surgical aid was called until the following day, 
when it was found that gangrene had set in and 
amputation was useless, aud the wound could 
only be wrapped up, and the suflferer left to die. 

On Wednesday morning, November 9th, 
ISSn, the sad news was spread over the town, 
that George F. Coe, — then Supervisor of the 
town, and one of the best-known men in the 
county — had been found dead on the railroad 
track, near the residence of Barney Lawn, and 
a short distance from his home. Mr. Coe had 
returned from Geneseo the evening before, 
where he had been attending the Board of Su- 
pervisors, the members had the day before 
chosen him Chairman. On alighting from 
train No. 16., which arrived at the Conesus 
Center Depot about 9 o'clock p. m., he started 
down the track for his residence, which was 
about three-fourths of a mile from the depot. 
Tliis was the last that was seen of liini while he 
was living. His lifeless body was found the 
next morning about (J o'clock, on the east side 
of the track, face upwards, aud the head with- 
in a couple feet of the rails. Mr. (^oe had for 
some time been troubled with the heart disease, 
and it was supposed while walking on the track 
he was overcome by pain and faintness, but had 
the presence of mind to sit down at one side to 
avoid train No. 1., which was then soon due. 
His hat was on his head, and death probably 
came without a struggle, and without any one 
to soothe his dying head. 

On the 16th day of July, 1871, Thomas 
Griffin and wife, were visiting at James Conlon's 
on the road leading from (\inesus Center t(. the 
depot. They had a young daughter tour years 
of age with them, who was to play with the 
other children, and unknown to them, she went 
to a cistern on the outside of the house, where 
she raised the cover and looked in, and in doing 
so, tipped in, and before she could be rescued, 



was drowned. 

On January 19th, 1880, William Holmes 
an old gentleman of sixty years or more of age, 
and living in the north-east part of the town, 
went into a gull to cut some wood. He cut 
down a tree that stood upon the bank of the 
gull which fell length way of the same, and then 
cut off a log ten or twelve feet in length, and 
after cutting the same, and in some way he fell 
and the log rolled on him, and when he was 
found the log lay across his breast, and they 
found him dead. 

September 11th, 1885, found James Myers 
and his son Bert, on the " Old Patterson " 
place in the northern part of Conesus, employed 
in drawing manure from his baru upon a lot 
west of it. The son was loading, and the father 
drove the team, using two wagons. After din- 
ner, they went out to resume work : James 
hitched his team on and drove out toward the 
lot. After leaving his son, two of his old 
neighbors from Pittsford drove up to where his 
son was, and inquired for him. The son told 
them that his father had gone out with a load, 
and would soon be back. They by stepping 
one side a little, could see over the lot, and 
they saw his team standing and James lying on 
the ground. They at once went to him, and 
found a dung-fork in one hand, and the lines 
in the other, dead. He had fallen from the 
wagon and broken his neck. 

On the 25th of September of the same year, 
Samuel Compton met a terrible death on the 
Marrowback hills, that filled many hearts with 
horror. He was assisting one of his neighbors 
in threshing grain, and was emjiloyed in cutting 
bands on the table of the machine. He had 
been kneeling on his knees, — being an aged 
man and without his limbs had become numb 
from his sitting position, — rose to his feet, and 
at that moment a couple of ladies happened to 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



103 



go along the road, he turned part way around 
to see who they were, and in doing so, slipped 
and fell with one foot into the cylinder, and in 
an instant, it ground his leg up to the hip. 
Poor Samuel had but one moment for reflection, 
and within that time, made two desperate at- 
tempts to free himself from his doom, and in the 
last one he was successful, and drew his man- 
gled leg out of the machine, and laid on the 
the edge of the feed-board, and in a pitiful tone 
exclaimed : " Boys, take me down, my leg is 
goney He lived but a few hours, in great 
agony. 

In October of the same year, William Sny- 
der, who was picking apples on a ladder in the 
south part of the town, slipped in some man- 
ner, fell and broke his neck and died in an 
instant. 



On August 3d, 18G2, was the death of Kit- 
ty Coe, a young daughter of Amos D. Coe. 
Her father had drove Lis horse hitched to a 
carriage up to his door at Conesus Center, 
and placed her and a little brother in the bug- 
gy, and went in the house on and errand leav- 
ing the horse unhitched. In het absence of Mr. 
Coe, the horse started, turned short around, 
tipped the buggy over, and killed her and hurt 
the little boy .She was about four years of age. 

On the 24th day of August, 1 873, Orlando 
D. Webster — then living in the south part of 
the town — went to Conesus lake fishing. In 
some manner the boat became upset and threw 
him out in the lake, and he became entangled 
in his fish-lines, and drowned before help could 
reach him. He left a small family to mourn 
his loss. 




CHAPTER XIV 



§forms. floods, ^ires, Sc. 



^HAT has beeu the storms that have 
JIL^; passed over the town of Conesusbe- 

f^^f^ fore the whiteman came here to 
' ^> live, we have no way of knowing. 
In years since they have been mild, and often 
are driven off the northern part of the town, by 
the two lakes. Most of the storms come from 
the west or south-west ; but sometimes from 
the north or north-east, and when they come 
from the latter point, are generally very severe, 
lasting many times, several days. In the \\" in- 
ter, the snow often falls from eight inches to 
two feet deep, and has been known to have 
reached the depth (;f three feet on the level. 

March 16th, 1870, was one of these great 
storms. It commenced snowing on the night 
of the ir)th, and continued to do so in full force 
until the night of this day, which was found to 
have reached the depth of three feet on the 
level. Traveling by railroad and private con- 
veyances had for several days, to be suspended. 

In the fall of 1835 the town was visited by 
the most destructive flood known since its set- 
tlement by the whiteman. A dark, heavy 
cloud arose in the west and as it extended ever 
the town poured out the rain in torrents. The 
heaviest of the storm cloud passed over the 



southern portion of the town, and when it had 
reached the Calabogue Hollow it burst forth 
in full force, filling all the small ravines with 
rushing waters, that soon covered the flats be- 
low until they resembled a mighty river carry- 
ing everything before it to destruction in its 
course to the Conesus lake. The theory of 
many persons in regard to this destructive 
storm, was that a cloud broke as it was passing 
over the town. 

When it reached the gull back of the grist- 
mill, being so narrow for such a volume of 
water, that in one half hour, it was couipletely 
filled by the angry waters, which on reaching 
the McMillan flats, spread out and carried 
everything in its course into the lake. Trees 
and fences were like so many straws, and peo- 
ple living upon the flats had to flee to the hills 
for safety, some of them barely escaping with 
their lives. At this time, there was a family 
living upon the road leading across the flats, 
by the name of Wright. As Mrs. Wright was 
standing at the door of her house, looking out 
upon the foaming waters, she saw a feather bed 
come swimming down the stream, and enter her 
dooryard. She succeeded in securing it, Hut 
where it came from was never ascertained, al- 



104 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



105 



though it was exstensively advertised. 

Upon the eastern bank of the gully, about 
twenty rods north of the present gristmill stood 
the old niillriglit building, one end resting upon 
posts next to the gully, and the east end ujion 
the bank, and used by Bell & Hedges — mill- 
rights — and in the same they had a number of 
valuable tools. When the water had risen al- 
most up to the building and threatened to car- 
ry it from its foundation, they rushed in and car- 
ried each of them out an armfull. As they 
were returning for the second one, they were 
warned by their friends, that if they did so, it 
would be at the peril of their lives; but they 
heeded them not. As one of them was about 
to step from the building the second time, their 
friends saw an old Ashery building that used to 
stand whore the (>oleman's saw-mill stood, 
come floating down the stream, and as it struck 
the building, they called to them to save them- 
selves, but it was t(M) late, for the next moment 
they saw the building fjilj, and was soon .'>wal- 
lowed up by the rushing waters, carrying the 
two human beings to a watery grave. The 
body of Bell was found the next day a shurt 
distance from the scene of the disaster, but the 
body of Hedges was not found until the next 
July. It was discovered by some workmen 
who was employed with teams removing a j>ile 
of floodwood near the residence of McMillan 
brothers at the head of the Conesus lake, under 
a large log at the bottom of the pile. 

The citizens of the town, as soon as the flood 
had subsided, turned out in large numbers and 
made what they thought to be a thorough 
search, but failed to find him, and many thought 
until his body was found that it had been 
washed into and sunk amongst the sand of the 
lake. The body when found was in a bad state 
of decomposition, having laid nine months in 
the water, which rendered it very difiicult to 



give it a decent burial. This was the largest 
flood ever known here. 

The first day of June 1829, will long be re- 
membered as the day of the death of Adaline 
Cobb, who was residing with her parents in the 
south part of the town. It was upon a Sabbath 
afternoon, and Miss Cobb had received a call 
from a friend — Mr. Benjamin Griswold. As 
the hours of the evening progressed, they took 
seats near each other, directly beneath a cross- 
cut saw that had been laid or fastened to the 
floor-beams of the log house over their heads. 
While sitting here chatting to each other, there 
arose in the west a terrific thunder-storm, and 
passed over the town, sending forth its firey 
bolts of destruction, and shaking the ground 
in all directions with the explosion of its pow- 
erful elements. 

While in the midst of the stiirm Mr. Gris- 
wold asked the lady if she was ever frightened 
by lightening. She qui(;kly replied, "never!" 
These words had'nt more than passed from her 
UKtutli, when there came a sharp flasli and a 
terrific report, and in an instant a bolt struck 
the house, passing down upon the saw and 
dropping from the same upon the young lady's 
head, and then down her body, killing her in 
an instant. At the same time a second bolt 
struck Mr. Griswold, ran down his body and 
one leg, tearing his boot-leg open, passing 
through the center of the b('Ot-heel, leaving a 
round hole about the size of a common rifle 
bullet and knocking him senseless, but in a 
few hours he recovered. 

Miss Cobb — it is said — was a young lady 
highly respected by all who knew her. At the 
time of her death she was about eighteen years 
of age. The next day, Bev. Sylvester Morris 
when alive informed me, he carried the sad 
news on horseback, to her friends at Henri- 
etta, N. Y. 



106 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



It seems that Mr. Griswold was fated by 
the heavenly elements; for it was not long af- 
terwards, that one day on the approach of a 
thunder-storm, he went in a small corn-house 
for shelter. He had not been there long be- 
fore a bolt struck one corner, knocking one end 
(if the crib into slivers. He escaped unliarmed. 

The l-ith of July, 187-2, is a day that 1 will 
long remember. Several other men and my- 
self were engaged at work in a harvest field, not 
far from the residence of James Alger, and on 
lands owned by my father. While we were at 
work, we heard a roaring noise above our heads, 
and on looking up, we saw a large cloud with 
a white border and a dark center about five- 
hundred feet above us, rolling and tumbling in 
an angry manner, and ii oving rapidly from the 
north-west to the south-east. Little did we 
dream at the time, that this was a cyclone iti 
full blast, ai;d ready to destroy all the worldly 
things that came in its path. 

Upon this day, Mrs. John Daniels and chil- 
dren, with a young daughter of Mr. H. May, 
were out berrying upon the farm of Mr. Car- 
penter, upon the south part of the Marrowback 
hills. When they saw the storm coming, they 
sought I'etfuge in a barn of this gentleman for 
shelter. They had no sooner than entered it, 
when the whirling element struck it, and like 
so many straws, tore it to pieces, burying its 
living contents beneath it. As soon as the 
catastrophy transpired, some men who hap- 
pened to be near by, hastened to the scene, and 
released the living. Of this little company, 
Mrs. Daniels was badly hurt, and the little 
daughter (f Mr. May was soon fdund with a 
large stick of timber lying acro.es her, dead. 
The otiiers were n ore or less bruised, but were 
saved from the falling timbers, as the barn stood 
cm a wall, which kept the timbers off from them. 
So the little company that went forth in the 



morning with joy, returned to their homes in 
sorrow. 

One of the most severe snow storms that vis- 
ited the town took place on the 16th and 17th 
of April, 1817, better known as one of the cold 
years. The ground was then covered upon the 
level from two to three feet in depth, and on 
the 10th day of May, 1818, the snow fell to 
the depth of nine inches. On the 19th of 
April, 1820, Jotham Clark says that he, with 
Thomas Clark, went across the Conesus lake 
upon the ice. The ice them was like a sponge, 
and they carried with them a pole to help them- 
selves with in case they should break through. 
In many places they could punch their poles 
through into the water, and the ice had thawed 
from the shore so that they had to lay their 
poles down to cross from the same to the shore. 

The Spring of 1 842 was remarkable. M r. 
Sylvester Morris says : " I sowed my spring 
wheat the 18th of February and my oats in 
March. The weather was very fine." 

The year of 1816 and '17, are known as the 
" cold seasons." In the former year, a frost 
came on the 18th of July, and was followed by 
another on the 1 0th of September, which al- 
most destroyed all kinds of vegetable products. 
On the 15th of June, 1862, there also came a 
hard frost, which destroyed the corn and did 
great damage. The year of 1863, was a very 
cold year, and the corn crop among nine-tenths 
of the farmers of the town, never matured. 

Some seasons has been colder than others. 
January 18th, 1857, thermometer went down 
1 8 degrees below zero. From February 8th, 
1865, to March 1st of the same year, it aver- 
aged 10 degrees below zero. The Summer of 
1878, was very warm. Nine days in succession 
in July it was above 90 degrees in the shade. 

The greatest change in one day that we find 
on record, and that took place in twelve hours, 



THE HISTORY OF CONtlSUS. 



107 



was on the lOth of February, 1885. About 
lunju that day, the weather was a little below 
freezing point : the next ni()rnin<>-, it stood 1 S 
degrees below zero lu four hours in the after- 
noon, the thermometer went down forty degrees. 
In the Spring of 1867, is noted the highest 
point that Conesus lake is known to have 
reached since the settlement of the town. 

Fires, Etc. 
The town in the past has suffered severely 
by destructive lires. Some of these were caused 
by lightning, others by accident, and no 
doubt some by incendiarism. One of the most 
shocking and sad scenes that ever hapjiened 
in the town, took place on the night of Janu- 
.•iry 1"ith, 1880. A family by the name of 
•lames Buckley, then living in a tenant house 
then owned by John Holmes, and was situ- 
ated near the residence of Lawrence Webster 
on the Marrowback hills, took fire from a bar- 
rel containing ashes that stood near the dwell- 
ing. There being no barn on the place, Mr. 
Buckley was useing a jiart of the woodshend at 
the time as a colt-stable, which was attached 
to the house, in which he had a colt hitched. 
About one o'clock at night, he was awakened b}- 
a racket made by the colt, and arising he opened 
a door leading to the shed, when the flames 
burst in upon him, and he was obliged to flee 
for safety. The wife and one child who was 
sleeping below were immediately aroused and 
a desperate attempt was made to ascend the 
stairs leading to tin' chauiljer above, to save two 
cliildren — aged S .iiid 10 respectively — who 
were sleejiing there ; l)ut the fire was under too 
much headway, and the parents and one child 
were obliged to flee with oidy their night clothes 
and witness the burning of their household, and 
to hear the piteous cries of their two children, 
who was calling to save them from the firy 



furnace. Their cries soon ceased, and their 
wh te charred bones was the next morning 
found among the ruins. 

There was stored in the house a quantity of 
grain, and Mr. Buckley had $300 in his panta- 
loons pocket, a small portion being in gold and 
silver, with all of their clothing, furniture, and 
everything (except the colt which was badly 
burned, but escaped) was consumed. In addi- 
tion to their afflction, Mrs. Buckley had her 
feet frozen. A subscription was at once cir- 
culated, and by the liberal contributing of the 
people, showed how deeply they were in sym- 
pathy with the afilcted. 

One of the heaviest thunder-storms that has 
visited the town in the late years, took place 
on Sunday Evening of September 5th, 1875. 
This evening the lightning played all kind of 
frantic freaks, and most of the time it was 
light as day. The storm arose to its full hight 
about 9 o'clock P. M., when the rain came in 
torrents, and the ground shook as if it was un- 
der the vengeance of an earthquake. When the 
the people in the northern part of the town was 
about to retire to bed, they were startled by a 
bright flash and a quick report, telling them 
that the agent of destruction, had done its work 
near at hand. Casting their eyes, they be- 
held the frame barn of Ezra W. Clark, between 
his residence and that of R. W. Cole, had been 
doomed to destruction, and was all in a blaze. 
The building was an upright barn of about .')(! 
by 5(t feet on a basement, with a shed of 24 by 
40 feet adjoining in shape of an ''L". As 
s<»oii as the barn was struck, it was in one mass of 
flames, and in one short hour, with its contents 
— which consisted of grain and hay — was totally 
destroyed. Clark's loss was about $1500. In- 
sured $1000. To night a person could stand 
and gaze in the distance and count no less than 
six large fires out of the town, of buildings 



108 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



burning from the effect of the storm ; yet by 
the good will of Providence, no lives were lost. 

On Sunday, August 24th 18G'2, Mr. George 
F. ( \)e had the misfortune to have a shed burned 
at his residence north of Union Corners. Mr. 
Coe and part of his family had gone to Church 
at the " Old Universalist church" at the above 
place, leaving a younger son at home. While 
they was away, this son went into the shed and 
in a playful manner started a fire, and as it 
began to burn through the side of the building, 
it was noticed from the church, and most of the 
congregation hastened to the scene in time to 
save a barn joining the same from destruction. 
The loss was not heavy. 

1q the Summer of 1857, the dwelling house 
of Ellis Carroll, which had formerly been 
owned by Eebecca Scott, and was situated a 
little west of the present residence of the late 
Lewis Carroll in the orchard, took fire and 
was burned down with a total loss to its own- 
ers. The fire was thought to have caught from 
a spark unnoticed on a stick of wood that had 
been placed in the stove, and being to lung had 
been taken out and thrown in a wood-box, as 
the family were retiring for the night. About 
10 o'clock, they was awakened to find the house 
full of smoke, and the fire beyond control, and 
they were obliged to flee for their lives. 

On the night of June 19th, 1877, the tenant 
house of Nelson Gilbert, which stood a little 
north iif his pre>ent residence on the west side 
of the head of the lake swamp, took fire and 
was burned down. The occupants were a- 
wakened about I'i o'clock by their child being 
restless, and fortunate it was, for on ari>ing the 
flames were breaking through the side of the 
room. It was thought to have been the works 
of an incendiary. The loss was estimated at 
$1,000, insurance $500. 

In the afternoon of July 29th, 1879, tlie 



residence of Cary Johnson that was situated 
in the southern part of the town, took fire from 
a spark alighting on the roof and was destroyed. 
Nothing was saved except a clock and a feath- 
er-bed. 

On the afternoon of July 2nd of 1881, the 
dwelling house of Elex. McArthur situated in 
the Calabogue hollow, took fire as was supposed 
at the time from a spark alighting on the roof 
where it was first discovered. The family 
were eating dinner at the time, and hearing an 
uncommon roaring went out in the yard, and 
saw that the house was on fire. A messenger 
was sent for help which soon arrived, and with 
their assistance, the contents of the house w<ire 
saved. The loss were estimated at $1,400: 
insured $1,000. 

On October 4th, 1869, the dwelling house 
G. W. McNinch, across the way from the Rail- 
road Depot at Conesus Center, was burned. 
A fire were discovered in the house in the fore- 
part of the afternoon, and by the aid of several 
persons was extinguished. About 5 o'clock, 
the same afternoon, it was discovered to be on 
fire again, but had gained such a headway, 
that it could not be got under control, and in 
a short time, was with its contents destroyed. 
It were occupyed by Mr. McNinch and his 
family, he being away from home. Not long 
afterwards, his barn which stood near by, was 
also burned. 

On December 7th, 1885, the barn of Wilkes 
Masten at the Head of Conesus lake, and on 
October 4th of the same year, the barn of San- 
ford Allen in the south part of the town, con- 
taining a threshing-machine and other products 
was burned. 

The other fires of the town have been de- 
scribed under their proper heading, except the 
great fire in Patrick McNinch's woods, which 
destroyed a valuable tiinber-lotfor himin 1881. 



CHAPTER XV. 



^he ^nilroiid and ^ailrand ^C([identfi, Sc. 



.^{ij^N 1849 the people were agitating the 
^^ H^ question of locating the New York and 
Erie railroad through the Cohocton 
instead of the Canisteo valley, and a 
public meeting, favorable to this action, was 
held in Geneseo August 11th. At this meet- 
ing James S. Wadsworth, Allen Ayrault, John 
Yernam, Philip Woodruff, Lester Bradner, W. 
T. Cyler, Hiram Boyd, Jerediah Horsford, W. 
S. FuUerton, B. K. Angel, Luther C. Peck, 
Charles Colt, Andrew Sill, C. H. Bryan, II. 
G. Dyer and George Pratt were appointed "a 
corresponding and business connnittee to carry 
into effect the object of this meeting." A meet- 
ing in behalf of the same object was held in 
Dansville on the 8th of August. In 1 850 this 
project was modified to a proposition to con- 
struct another line of road from Corning through 
the Cohocton valley to Eochester. A meet- 
ing was held at Bath January 10, 1850, to 
consider this question, which recommended 
that a general meeting be held in Geneseo on 
the 24th of January, " of those interested in 
the entire proposed route." In accordance 
with this recommendation the meeting was held 
in Geneseo, and called together a large num- 
ber of the enterprising men .of Western New 

109 



York. Delegations were present from BuflFalo, 
Attica, Batavia, Mount Morris, Dansville, and 
all parts of Steuben county. " The convention 
was addressed by several persons from abroad, 
well versed in the conducting of railroad mat- 
ters, and many encouraging inducements were 
held out. Among them was an offer from three 
extensive iron manufacturers to furnish the a- 
mount of iron necessary for the construction of 
the road, and take stock in payment." 

During the summer of this year an engineer 
was t^mployed to make preliminary surveys. 
The citizens of Steuben county, with commend- 
able enterprise, proposed to build on their own 
responsibility, the road from Corning to Bath, 
a distance of eighteen miles. P'rom this point 
the engineer reported two feasible routes to the 
Genesee river. 

The first of these, called the Honeoye route, 
was described as follaws: "Commences at 
Blood's Corners, north, near Naples, along 
west bank of Hunt's Hollow and Honeoye lake 
to Richmond Centre, crossing the outlet of the 
Hemlock lake at Frost's Hollow, thence, one 
mile east of Lima, one mile west of Honeoye 
Falls, to the village of West Rush, crossing the 
Genesee river on Judge Sibley's farm, about 



110 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



fourteen miles south of Rochester, thence up 
the Dugan's creek to Caledonia village, passing 
on the south side of the State road, through 
Le Roy, Stafford and Batavia — thence direct 
to Buffalo." The distance by this route was 
134 miles. 

The Conesus route run "from Blood's corn- 
ers west six miles to Tuttle's Inn (six miles 
east of Dansville), thence along the west bank 
of the Springwater valley, through Conesus 
Center, along the east bank of Conesus lake to 
Lakeville at its foot, thence down the outlet 
through Littleville and Avon Springs, crossing 
the Genesee river north <if the bridge at Avon 
— thence up White Creek to intersect with the 
Honeoye line at Caledonia village." The 
length of this route was 182 miles, a trifle less 
than that of the Honeoye line. 

The Buffalo and Cohocton road was early 
"put under contract, the Conesus route after son e 
changes having been selected. The company 
met with less delay and embarrassment than 
usually fall to the lot of such enterprises, and 
in July, iS.'jo, regular trains were running be- 
tween Caledonia and Corning; the remainder 
(-f the road was comjileted soon after. 

In the building ( f the road, it was done by 
private subscription, of whom there were sev- 
eral fnnu this town who gave large sums of 
nioney, and took stock in tlie same. In a few 
years the road changed hands, and they lost 
what they had invested. 

When the road was built, it was made a six 
foot gauge, which in after years proved to be 
detrimental, as it did not correspond with the 
gauges of the other roads throughout the country, 
and the company were oblig(!d to change trucks 
of cars of other companies, to transport them 
over their road. In the Summer of 1881, the 
company, resolved to place the road upon the 
" Standard System of Railroads," throughout 



the United States, by moving one rail fifteen 
inches in toward the other rail, making a gauge 
of four feet and nine inches. This as a person 
that was not versed in railroading, would 
consider no easy matter, and keep the trains 
making their regular trips. But it was easily 
accomplished. 

Through the month of July, the section men 
along the line commenced the work of drawing 
out along one rail, one-half of the spikes, and 
driving a row of them between the rails, at the 
right distance from the rail that was not to be 
moved — from Rochester to Corning, — so when 
the rail to be moved was shoved in, it would 
come to the row of spikes driven, and be of 
the right gauge. 

When all were ready for the final move the 
company sent in upon this division about fif- 
teen hundred men on the night of July 29th, 
from the other divisions of the road, and dis- 
tributed them along the line. The time set to 
connuence work was to be on the morning of 
the 3Uth, and the last wide gauge train was to be 
the 9 o'clock train in the afternoon of the 29th 
from Corning to Rochester, which was to run 
to the latter place, and return again to (^orning 
so as to clear the division of all the wide gauge 
engines and cars, as all of the other wide gauged 
engines and cars had been taken off tlie day be- 
fore. 

Saturday morning came, as fine a morning 
as could be asked for the occasion, and at 4 
o'clock, the men in two gangs (every six miles), 
on each end of a section, commenced working 
toward eachother, by drawing out the remain- 
ing spikes, and with bars throwing the loosen 
rail in to the driven row of spikes, and then 
driving enough on the outside, to keep the rail 
in position until properly spiked. 

8 o'clock a. m. came and the work was done; 
and a train that was due at Conesus at 9 o'clock 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



Ill 



a. m., made her regular trip with narrow gauged 
engine and cars, and at 10 o'clock, the men 
belonging to the other divisions of the road, 
were sent on their way home, and in less than 
three hours, 95 miles of railroad, were changed 
from a gauge of six feet, to one of four feet, 
nine inches in width. 

At the time of building the^road, the com- 
pany had two stations — Clark's and Couesus. 
In a few years, the former was abandoned, as 
we have already stated. 

Railroaii Accidents. 

We must not pass by and fail to . relate the 
few railroad accidents, that has transpired in 
the town. The first of them to our knowledge 
is the Foot's Corners disaster, which came near 
sending many souls into eternity. The road 
had not been in operation for more than a year, 
when on one dark niiiht about 8 o'clock, two 
horses belonging to a man by the name of Car- 
ter, — vvho was living on the farm of the late 
Kphraim Cole — broke from their j)asture upon 
the track below that place, just in time for a 
passenger train that was approaching the bridge 
over the roadway leading east of Foot's Corn- 
ers, when it struck the first horse, and then 
the second which threw the engine oif the 
track, and was followed by the baggage car, 
and in its transit lodged in mid-air between 
the butments of the bridge, and remained there. 
The next was the first passenger car, which ran 
lengthways down the embankment, full of pass- 
engers, yet remained upright. The second car 
left the track, but did not run far. As a good 
fortune to all, none were hurt. 

In the fall of 1 8")7 or '.58, a terrible acci- 
dent took place in the Calaboge hollow, a lit- 
tle east of the residence of Patrick McNinch. 
The morning express train from Corning, had 
become belated in reaching Conesus, and while 



passing through this valley, was trying to make 
up lost time. It has been said that when the 
accident happened, the train was running at 
the rate of sixty or seventy miles per hour. 

When the train had reached what was called 
an " S " (where the track crooks like an " S "), 
the track gave away, and soon piled the train 
in a frightful wreck. Where the cars left the 
track, there stood a trackman's shanty within 
a few feet (jf the track. The tracksmau's wife 
and one child were at the time standing in the 
door, and when she saw the train was off the 
track, she rushed out doors, as the cars struck 
the shanty, and knocked it in a thousand pieces. 
It has been reported that the trackman's wife 
left a small babe in a ci'adle in her flight, and 
when it was found it was still asleep in the 
cradle unhurt, under the front end of one of 
the passenger cars. 

The wounded was soon rescued from the 
wreck, and messengers sent forth after physicians 
toattend them. All that were not able to pro- 
ceed by the next train were brought to Cone- 
sus Center, and placed under medical care at 
the hotel of John McVicar. In this disaster, 
there were two men and one child killed, and 
about twenty hurt. 

On the 21st of September, 18()1, George 
Macomber lost his life at the Conesus Depot, 
by his own folly. On the 18th of that month, 
he went to Livonia Station, and on this day 
(Sunday), boarded a freight-train at that place 
with the expectation of the same stopping at 
Cou'^sus, which it did not. This was the last 
known of his intentions: and the last seen of 
him alive, was by the engineer who saw him 
on the top of the cars, coming toward the en- 
gine just before reaching Conesus. The next 
that Avas seen of him, his mangled body was 
found at the south end of the depot steps, by 
the side of the track. How he lost his life, by 



112 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



jumping or falling from the cars, it was never 
known. He was about twenty-four years of age. 

The next sad death, was that of Nicholas 
Ager of Avon, N. Y., who was in the employ 
of tlie Railroad Company, and had been sent one 
Sunday morning with a wrecking train and a 
squad of men up the mad tDward Corning, to 
gather up some bi'oken cars, that had been 
thrown from the track through the week, and 
wrecked. They finished their work, and then 
started back for Avon — after tearing to-pieces 
several cars, and piling the iron parts upon 
flat-cars, — and when they had reached Boyd's 
cut, north of Foot's Corners, Ager undertook 
to step from one car to another, and in doing 
so hit his foot on some broken wheels on a 
car ahead of him, and fell backward between 
the cars on the track below, across the rail. 
It was but the work of a moment and four 
cars passed over his body, severing it into two 
parts just above the hips, and killing him in 
an instant. In passing over his body, it tlirew 
tlie four cars from the track, yet no one else was 
liurt. Ager left a wife and several children in 
Avon to mourn his loss. 

Michgel Callehann another victim, was a 
track-walker by occupation, whose duties were 
to walk over the track for six miles four times 
each day, to see that tlie track is in proper or- 
der. The company had given him orders that 
on his last trip which ended at South Livonia, 
the privilege of riding back on a night express 
to his home at Conesus. On the night of De- 
cember 2d, 1879, he finislied his days work, 
boarded the train at Soutli Livonia, and as he 
reached his destination, he undertook to get off" 
before the train stopped, and in doing so, slipped 
and fell under the hind-trucks, which passed 
over his leg, and severed it close up to the 
body. He survived his injuries but a few days, 
and died leaving a wife and several children. 



Another man (whom I will call the " Elmira 
Dutchman," as I do not know his name,) who 
was a carpenter on the road, met with the mis- 
fortune to break his leg, in the northern part 
of the town under the following circumstances. 
The company had sent several men, to put some 
timbers under a bridge over the farm lane of 
Hiram Boyd. They had finished their days 
work as a freight train came along on its way 
to Conesus, and as it passed them were run- 
ning very slow. They had for several nights 
before this, jumped on this train and rode to 
Conesus. To-night the Dutchman — being a 
man of nearly 2501bs. weight — undertook to 
get on, and as the last car passed him, he 
grasped hold of the railing, and the train nuw- 
ing faster then he had anticipated, it threw 
him, and in his fall he struck on the end 
of the ties, which broke his leg. He was then 
conveyed on a hand-car by his companions to 
Conesus, where he received medical attendance 
and then sent to his home at Elmira, N. Y. 

On the 2nd of January, 1 8U4, a middle aged 
man, came near losing his life, by being under 
the influence of liquor. He was a track-walker, 
and the night before had been on a drunken 
spree. In the morning he resumed his occu- 
pation, but had not fully n^covered from the 
drunken stupor, as he reached a farm cross- 
ing of the late John Alger, that used to be sit- 
uated a little east of the Foot's Corners school- 
house, and here laid dow'u on the outside of 
the rail and went to sleep. 

As the morning train, due at 9 o'clock going 
north, came down the long dump east of Foot's 
Corners, and when about sixty rods of him, 
the engineer saw him, and at once saw the 
pcrih>us position h.e was in, but to close to 
stop. He called his fireman's attention, and 
said, "there is a man on the track, and if he 
will lay still we will pass hhn and not hit liim. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



113 



Tf I blow the whistle or ring the bell, he will 
rise up and we will kill him." Under these 
circumstances the engineer reserved the cus- 
tomary signals, in hope to pass him in safety. 
To the engineer the seconds seemed like minutes, 
and uiimutes like an hour as he grasped the throt- 
tle of his engine as he passed him. All would 
have been well if he had not raised his bead as 
the last car passed him, so as to be in reach of 
a ear step, which hit him in the back part of 
the head cutting a deep gash and knocking 
him senseless. The section men took him to his 
his boarding place where he soon recovered so 
as to be able to be sent to his former home at 
Big Flats, N. Y. 

.Michal Gary a section boss between Conesus 
and Webster's Crossing, met a terrible death on 
the morning of April 21.st, 187'-j. He accom- 
panied by his men started out on a hand-car 
for their work, un-a ware of a train that had be- 
come belated and were following them. They 
Sijon saw the train approaching around ;i curve, 
when Cary's men jumped and left the car. Cary 
saw at once that liis car was doomed, he jumped 
from the same and undertof»k to get it off the 
track, and in doing so the train came upon 
him, and smashed him between the engijie and 
the car, killing him in an instant. An other 
man, named Purcel was also killed near the 
same place, a few years ago, and we fail t<i 
be able to state the full particulars. 

Too frequent it has been the custom of many 
young men when away from home along the rail- 
road, to get on the cars and when they reach 
some spot near their destination, to leap from 
them while in motion. 

Fay McFarlin, — then living with Esq. Alger 
on the James S. Alger place — happened one 
day to be at Livonia Station on business, and 
at night, got on a stock-train which in those 
days ran very slow, to ride as far as Boyd's 



lane bridge, and then get off and go across to 
his home. When the train had almost reached 
the bridge, Fay let himself down behind the 
last car onto the track, with intentions of run- 
ning a little ways before letting go, so as not to 
fall. He did so, yet he made a miscalculation 
in regard to the distance to the bridge, ran 
into the same and fell, striking on his nose 
on one of the cross-ties, breaking it and dis- 
figuring his face for several days afterwards. 

The next victim f)f of jumping from trains el 
cai's, was that of John D. Webester on the 
night of December 4th, 1874. At the time 
Mr. Webster was residing with his father-in- 
law — Geo. F. Coe — near Union Corners. This 
day, Mr. Webster had business that called him 
to Livonia, and on his returning took a rain 
that passed through Conesus about 9 o'clock in 
the evening. At this time there was a large 
body of snow upon the ground, and the ther- 
mcnneter down to zero. When passing his place 
of residence, Mr. Webster concluded he would 
jump off the cars as he had done before so as 
to save him abo\it a mile of travel from the sta- 
tion to liis home. When he iiad reached nearly 
oposite his father-in-law's, lie made the jump, 
but the train moving faster then he was aware 
of, he came down to the ground with- a crash, 
breaking one of his legs and leaving him in a 
helpless condition, Mr. Webster now tried at 
the top of his voice to make his friends hear 
him, but without avail. He knew too well his 
situation with a cold night upon him, and if he 
did not soon reach shelter, he wimld perish. 
In this deplorable condition, there was but one 
thing for him to do; that was to crawl on his 
hands and the well knee through the snow 
some twenty rods to his father-in-law's house, 
which he reached after a length of time, in an 
almost famished condition. Medical attend- 
ance was soon called, and all done for the 



lU 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



young man that could be done, but the frac- 
tured leg proved to be a serious affair, for it 
was nearly a year before he recovered, and a 
part of the time he was obliged to spend at the 
Hospital at Rochester, N. Y. 

On the Evening of January 29th, 1884, there 
happened a railroad accident on the New York, 
Lake Erie & Western Railroad, where it crosses 
the lands of Hiram Boyd, in the northern part 
of the town. For several weeks, the weather 
had been very severe, and at the same time it 
was accompanied by a heavy fall of snow, 
making it almost impossible for the workmen 
to keep the track clear, and to see the condition 
(if the rails. This day when the half past four 
o'clock train in the afternoon, — consisting of 
an engine, baggage and two passenger-cars — 
came around the sharp curve south of the 
bridge over Boyd's farm lane, the track gave 
away throwing the whole train off, and send- 
ing them on to destruction at the speed of forty 
miles per hour. The rails were torn up for a 
distance of nearly forty rods, and thrown some 
tw«nity feet apart, and the train crossed the 
bridge on the ties, and ran the former distance 
before stopping. When this was accomplished, 
the engine and baggage-car stood on the bed 
of the road between the rails; the first pass- 



enger-car stood cross-ways of the track ; the 
second passenger-car, — in which were several 
ladies and about thirty gentlemen, — lay down 
an embankment of nearly eight feet, turned 
over on its side, in a snowbank of about 
seven feet deep, that broke its fall, and saved 
many lives within. In this car all was confu- 
sion, and the inmates thrown into a heap. 
Those who were not hurt, soon crept out cov- 
ered with coal-dust and dirt in a bewildered 
way; for some knew not where they were, 
while others laughed to see the sad looks of their 
companions. In this car there were several 
soldiers on their way to take part in the Grand 
Army Encampment to take place at Rochester, 
N. Y., the next day. As soon as possible, the 
following wounded were taken from the wreck. 
Mr. Simons, of Elmira, hurt through the spine 
and was a soldier; Mr. Squires of Corning, hurt 
through the head and shoulders; Miss Lillie 
Gray of Hemlock Lake, the same; Mrs. Chas. 
Wester of Conesus, hurt through the head. 
There were several slightly hurt, but resumed 
their journey afterwards, and some others had 
narrow escapes from injury, — as that of Miss 
Cook of Buffalo, a lame lady who had to go on 
crutches, who escaped without an injury, and a 
blindman who came out all sound. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



fur ^cior(l£ off (f^onesus, Sc. 



^^j^^Y tracing the records of the little town 
"^l^^^ of Conesus, I find it has the honor of 
^ being once the home of ten or more 
of the Revolutionary patriots, who 
came here after the close of that noted war, and 
made it their residence until their death. The 
list of these noted warriors as far as we are 
able to name them, (although there may have 
been others tliat have lived in the town unknown 
to us,) is as follows: Francis Horth, Lemuel 
Richardson, AarDU Hale, David Sopher, Paul 
Sanborn, Jabez Lewis, Charles Chamberlin, 
Theophilus Jackson, Thaddeus Gage, Isaiah 
Bacon. Five of these soldiers lie sleeping in 
the Conesus Center cemetery, two in the South- 
liivonia, one in the Union, one in Hart's, and 
one in Springwater. As it has been several 
years since the last of them died, we are sorry 
that we are unable to give a more defiinite 
sketch of each one, as we have the history of 
only a few, as follows : — 

The first of these is Thaddeus Gage, who 
was born in the year of 1 75C. When at the 
age of twenty-six he first went into the army 
which was in the year of 1776, where he served 
in five successful campaigns. He was never 
called into any battles as he was stationed at 



several different seaports. He was buried at 
Conesus Center. 

Francis Horth was born at Providence, in 
the state of Rhode Island in the year of 1 756. 
When at the age of nineteen, or in the year of 
1775, he joined the army and served for four 
years and nine months. ' While the war was 
raging in the eastern part of New York, he 
with his company was sent north to join the 
army of General Gates, and on the l!)th of 
September, 1777, he participated in the battle 
of Stillwater, twenty-two miles north of Al- 
bany. The battle was only checked by the 
darkness of night, and on the 7th of October, 
the second battle was fought, in which he was 
present, and saw General Burgoyne give up 
his sword to General Gates, which took place 
at Saratoga, N. Y. In the year of 1844 he 
breathed his last at the good old age of 88, 
and was buried at Conesus Center. 

Aaron Hale was born in Boston, 3Iassa- 
chusetts in 1754, and at the age of twenty-one 
he enlisted in the army, and was present at the 
battle of Bennington and Bunker hill. His 
grandfather, Moses Hale, was in the latter bat- 
tle with him. In the year of 1821 he moved 
into the town of Conesus where he resided un- 



115 



116 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



til his death, which occurred in the year of 1 821 , 
and was buried in the town of Springwater. 

Jabez Lewis was born in the state of Ver- 
mont in the year of 1753, and in 1802 moved 
from there to Lima, Livingston Co. N. Y., and 
the next year, into Ontario County, and in the 
fall of 1805, to the town of Conesus and took 
up lot No. 5, and built a log house on the same, 
where he resided until his death, March 11th, 
1 83(5. 

At the age of 22, Mr. Lewis entered the 
Revolutionai'y army, and served his country 
as a worthy soldier. Hardships, cold and hun- 
ger, he bfire with fortitude and courage. On 
entering the army, hewas detailed as one of the 
body guards of Gen. Washington. While tlie 
army lay encamped in Pennsylvania and New 
•Jersey, an incident transpired, which always 
dwelt in Mr. Lewis memory. The situation 
of the army at this time was very critical, for 
the soldiers were not half clothed, and their 
provisions very scarce. One day as Mr. Lewis 
was standing guard at the entrance of Wash- 
ington's tent, he saw that the General had a nice 
dinner and he longed to become one of his guests. 
He did not make known his wants, but as soon 
as Washington had finished his dinner, he arose 
and walked out to where Mr. Lewis stood, and 
spoke to him in a friendly tone and said : 
" Jabey would you like a bite to eat ?" " If 
you please," said Mr. Lewis. "Give me your 
gun," said Washington, "while you go in and 
eat." So shouldering the musket, Washing- 
ton marched back and foi'th on sentry duty, 
while Mr. Lewis went in and partook of a luxur- 
ious meal and then returned to his old place of 
duty again. From that time up to Mr. Lewis' 
death, there dwelt in his bosom a love for Wash- 
ington that could never die. Mr. Lewis' last 
resting place can to-day be seen in the ceme- 
tery at South Livonia, N. Y. 



Another of these patriots that was often seen 
in the town, was the famous General Daniel 
Shay, " the noted leader of Shay's rebellion in 
Massachusetts in 1784." As soon as the body 
of insurgents were defeated by Government 
troops at Petershann of that state, he made his 
escape, and afterwards came to Scottsburgh, 
and made it his home until his death, which 
took place in the year of 1825. Yet to our 
knowledge he nver lived in the town, therefore 
we refrain from giving a sketch of his life, only 
to say that he was buried in the Union Ceme- 
tery that is situated in the town. 

War OF 1812— 'U. 

The war of 1812 and 1814, known as the 
second war with Great Britain, threw terror 
into the hearts of the settlers here. The coun- 
try being new and the British having a large 
number of Indians under their control, whom 
thay would send forth against the weak Amer- 
ican settlements, and encourage them to com- 
mit all kind of depredations. The settlers well 
knew that the scene of warfare was but a days 
march of them, and they expected every hour 
to see a hoard of these savages turned loose 
upon them, to murder and destroy every living 
thing that came before them. 

Being no block-houses or forts in the town 
of Conesus and Livonia, the settlers became 
greatly alarmed for their safety, as the greater 
portion of the able bodied men had gone to de- 
fend their countrys peril. So one day the la- 
dies turned out and went to the old log house 
that was torn down by W. W. Wheeler in 
1883, at South Livonia, to see if it would not 
serve them a place of safety in case of an at- 
tack. Here one of the most exciting timew 
took place in discussing the best policy of pro- 
tection, in case of a sudden evasion of the en- 
emy. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



117 



As this bouse was of liewa logs and solid 
built, they resolved to put it to a test in regard 
to whether a rifle bullet, could penetrate through 
its walls (jr not. So procuring the assistance 
of Mr. Richardson (an aged gentleman), they 
got him to take his rifle and go ten or fifteen 
rods away and shoot into the logs, to see if the 
bullets would go through. To their glad sur- 
prise they did not ; and they selected this as a 
place of saftey. But the war passed, and they 
escaped from a visit of the enemy. 

At the time of this war, it drew from the 
town several of its best citizens, who were di- 
vided into regulars nnd minute men. The reg- 
ulars were those that staid with the army all 
the time, while the minute men remained at 
hmne and hold themselves in readines to go at 
a moments warning. The regulars suff"ored the 
most, as they were snie to be drawn into bat- 
tle, while the minute men would often reacli 
tlie scene of action after the battle was over. 

Some of the most prominent of the soldiers 
from this town, were James Henderson, Asa 
Stevens, Andrew Carter, Andrew Arnold, Ty- 
ranus Ripley, Benona Fosdick, Elis'.ia Webster, 
Benjamin (Mapp, Daniel and Samuel M(jnger, 
<'lias. Thorjje, and Lamport. The f(jllowingis a 
short sketch cf the lives of these worthy heroes. 

James Henderson, who was killed at the bat- 
tle of Queenston, Canada, was a son of Esq. 
Hender.son, the first settler of this town. Pri- 
or to his death, he was living with the family of 
James McNinch at the head of the Conesus 
lake. He was about twenty-four years of age, 
and at the time was holding the position of 
Quartermaster of a regiment of minute men, 
who were holding themselves in readiness to 
march to the front at a moments warning. 

The news at last came that the British was 
advancing on Buffalo, and orders came for all 
the troops to go at once to the field of action. 



The night before he was to leave, he walked 
the floor all night with a sad and troubled coun- 
tenance, and when morning came, he could 
not eat his breakfast, as he seemed to have 
something on his mind that would not let him 
rest. After breakfast he went out and got his 
horse and rode away without bidding his friends 
a good-by. A few minutes after he had gone, 
^Irs. McNinch went to the door, and as she 
looked down th(^ road, she was surprised to see 
him coming back to her house, and as he rode 
up to where she was standing, she spoke to him 
in a friendly tone and said : — 

" James, what has brought you back?" 

"I have come back Jennie, (Jane was her 
name) to bid you good-by," he said, as his 
voice trembled with emotion. 

" IV/iy James! what made you do so," she 
replied. "It is bad luck to come back. 

■•' Oh I Jennie, I could not help it," he said 
and 'l.e tears stole down his cheek as he turned 
his horse and rode away. The next news that 
his friends heard of him, was that he had fallen 
upon the blood-stained field of Queenston, July 
•Joth, 1812, while gallently facing the foe, and 
was buried on the field. 

Andrew Carter was a young man who had 
scarcely reached the age of twenty-one, as the 
war broke out. At the time of entering the 
American army, he was residing with his pa- 
rents, who lived near the present residence of 
Ashabel Alger. After a short time in the 
service of his country, hebeiame disheartened 
from some unknown cause and deserted and 
returned to his homn, to meet with trials equal 
to that of death. No sooner had his footsteps 
reached his native hearth stone, then he was 
missed by his fellow officers, and they started 
out to effect his capture and to return him to 
liuffalo, from whence he came, to suffer the 
full penalty of the law, which was death in ca.se 



118 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



of desertion. 

As if directed by the good will of Provi- 
dence, the uevvs reached him that he was being 
pursued by the officers of his regiment, he took 
refuge in the Purchase gully upon lot No. 88, 
owned by the late Lewis Carroll, where through 
one long winter he skulked through the pines, 
hemlocks, and auiong the rocks, expecting ev- 
ery moment to hear the shouts of his captors. 
When evening came he would come slyly to 
the humble cottage of James McNinch, that 
stood then near the present residence of W'll- 
liam Whiteman at the top (..f the Henderson hill, 
and obtain food from Mrs. McNinch (her hus- 
band being most of the time away from home, 
following his occupation as a miller,) to sustain 
life with. At other times would come and stay 
all night when Mr. McNinch was at liouie,and 
return before the break (rf day, to his hiding 
place again. "Often," said Mrs. McNinch, 
" he wi.iuld sit by my tire, and weep like a 
child while warming himself, and the tears 
would roll down lii.s cheeks, which filled my 
heart full of sympathy for him." 

Several times the officers came from Butl'alo 
and searched for him. They ransacked her 
house, hunted the gullies, laid all kinds of plans 
for his capture, yet by her kindness he escaped, 
while each day every person she met, she ex- 
pected would bi'ing her the news that he had 
been retaken. He was too slu'ewd for them : 
for his hiding jdace was in the top of a large 
hemlock tree, with broad and out-spreading 
branches, covered with green foliage, and the 
same surrounded by other trees, making the top 
invisible from the foot of the tree. Tn the top 
of this tree he constructed him a house (jr nest 
by placing among the branches, limbs and 
sticks and covering them with leaves, and then 
constructed over him a roof made of barks, 
which sheltered him from the storms through 



the day, and at night be would seek his food. 
In this nest he remained until spring, and then 
he returned home again. 

A few years ago, the late Sylvester Morris 
hiforms me that he felled this memorable tree 
for wood, and in the top of the same he found 
part of the old nest which sheltered Andrew 
Carter. It had rotted almost away, yet many 
of the sticks remained as he had place them. 

The death of Andrew Carter took place a 
few years since at Scottsburgh. He bore to 
his grave the love and respect of all who knew 
him, as a worthy citizen of the town of Sparta, 
N. Y. 

lienonia Fosdick was a resident of this town 
for a number of years until his death, which 
transpired March 5th, 1875. He was a large 
jtortly man and lame. He resided many years 
in the liouse across the way from the Univer- 
salist church at Conesus Center. For many 
years he held the office of town clerk, being 
sup])orted by both parties, until old age made 
him unqualified for the position. He was a 
favorite with all who knew him. He survived 
his wife but a few years, and at his death, left 
no children. 

Tyranus Eipley spent the most of his days 
upon the farm now owned by Samuel Sliker 
on the shores of the Conesus lake, whei-e he 
came in the year of 1815. The latter part of 
his life he became deranged and breathed his 
last at the County Alms House, at Geneseo, 
January 1st, 1881. He left several children. 

Andrew Arnold, was one of the early set- 
tlers of the town. He came here when the 
country was new, and always resided here until 
within a few years of his death, which took 
place March 2"ind, 1875. The most of his life 
time, he spent in living in the old log house 
that stood upon the north-west corner of the 
forks of the road, near the present residence of 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



119 



William Gray, south of Conesus Center. He 
has two children living. 

Charles Thorpe was born at New Haven, 
Ct., in 1785. He came to this town at an ear- 
ly day. Was drafted in the war of 1812, and 
served a year or more along the lines. His 
home was in the house now owned by Henry 
Cramer. He died in this town March 31st, 
1 829, and was buried at York, Livingston Co., 
\. Y. He left a family of several children. 

At the time of the breaking out of the war 
of 1812, there were two brothers by the name 
of Joseph and Jonathan Richardson, then liv- 
ing just over the line between the town of Co- 
nesus and Livonia. Both of these brothers 
were cripples, Joseph not having the use of one 
of his legs, while one of Jc^nathan's legs was 
sliorter than the other. 

When the news of the burning of Buifalo 
reached here, it aroused in their bosouis the 
spirit that they (mght to do something for their 
(country. Being cripples, everything lucked 
(lark to them, until at last the thought struck 
tliem that they c<mld do no better than to take 
tlieir teams and gather up what few men they 
could collect, and carry them to the scene of 
action. So gathering tlieir respective loads 
they set out, and in a few days arrived at the 
American lines, and in a few days were called 
into the field of battle, — a battle long to be 
remembered by the Americans as the battle of 
(^hippewa, (^anada, fought on the 5th day of 
July, 1814. 

In this memorable battle, Joseph was killed 
by a ball passing through his heart, while Jon- 
athan fell a prisoner into the hands of the Brit- 
ish, and was taken to Montreal. While on the 
way to that place, he, being lame, could not 
keep up with the other prisoners, which dis- 
pleased the British, and they would prick him 
with the point of their bayonets, exclaiming in 



their language to him, " Assa, assa in front," 
which ment for him to keep up. From Mon- 
treal they sent him to Halifax, and from there 
home, after some six months imprisonment. 

The friends of Joseph Richardson, as soon 
as they learned of his death, went to Buffalo 
and from there to the field, and got his body, 
which they found among the other dead bodies 
gathered up for burial. They readily recog- 
nized it, and brought it home for burial, which 
took place at South Livonia. 

Joseph Richardson, Jr., — a son of Joseph 
that was killed — was also taken prisoner at the 
same time ; but in a few days afterwards made 
his escape from the British and came to Niag- 
ara river, and after hiding and skulking along 
its banks for sometime, he found a man who 
ferried him over to this side. He then came 
home, after being absent several months in 
the service of his country. 

Another one of the heroes, was Erastus Lew- 
is, who was at the time of the breaking out of the 
war living upon the town line between Cone- 
sus and Livonia, at what is now the residence 
of Charles Hitchcock, which was occupied and 
owned by him up to the time of his death, 
which took place several years ago. 

Mr. Lewis belonged to the minute men, and 
as soon as the news of the British advancing 
upon Buffalo reached them, he turned out as 
one to oppose them, carrying with him liis own 
rifle. The first engagement he was called into 
was between the British and Americans, and 
transpired on the British side of the river. 

The British were aided by a large number 
of Indians, and when they came into the battle 
he took his position behind a log fence, and as 
the enemy advanced, he fired upon them. Af- 
ter firing several shots he look around him, 
and to his surprise, saw that he was alone, his 
comrades had fallen back and deserted him. 



120 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



He jumped up and ran, under a heavy fire from 
the British and Indians, who had discov- 
ered him. He succeeded in escaping unharmed, 
reaching his companions in safety, with a hole 
through his hat which a ball had cut so large 
that a pair of woolen mittens had been drawn 
half way out by the force of the bullet. 

He at once reported at head-quarters, and 
they took his gun away, as they had furnished 
a number of the minute men before the fight 
with arms, and they supposing him to be one 
of those furnished, they kept his, which he nev- 
er recovered. At the time of his hasty re- 
treat from the field, he threw away his knap- 
sack which hung over his shoulders, and his 
cartridge box, resolving rather to lose them, 
then to have the pleasure (if serving several 
months in the British prisons. 

Thk \Yar of 18(n. 

When news of the war-cloud of the Southern 
Kebelliou, and the fall of Fort Sumpter broke 
over the land, Conesus promptly responded 
with money and men. The sound of the drums 
were heard on Sunday, to break the silence of 
a sabbatli-day. Men were seen going through 
the streets in full excitement, and everywhere 
could be heard the cry of " To Arms?". The 
American flag was thrown out to the breeze, 
while men enrolled their names, as defenders of 
their country liberties. 

After a year or so, two drafts came. The 
first released the unlucky man from service 
by paying $300. The second, by sending a 
substitute, or by the town filling its quota. 

Whea the day came for the draft to take 
place, all held their breath in silence, until 
the news came who the unlucky men were. 
There was one man at the time very patriotic, 
and when the second draft took place, was liv- 
ing in the most remote part of the Marrow- 



back hills, and on the eve of that day failed 
to learn who had been drawn. As soon as 
the drafted men learned the result of the day, 
they resolved to assemble together aud furnish 
means for to procure substitutes with. So one 
of their number was selected to call upon this 
man, and to imforn] him that he had been 
drawn, and that they desired him to be pres- 
ent with them the next day. 

A\"hen the courier arrived at his residence he 
found the man busily engaged at his farm work, 
and after passing the time of day, he addressed 
in the following language : 

" The Boys that was drafted yesterday, has 
sent me up this morning to ask you to come 
down to Conesus Center this afternoon, to as- 
sist them to raise money to procure substitutes 
with!" 

The man turned his head, and as he did so, 
replied thus : " Oh I I can not come ; I have got 
so much work to do ; and further more, I could 
not help them for my policy is, if they are 
drafted, to let them go I my money can't help 
them." 

"Oh well then," said the Courier. "I have 
the pleasure to inform you, that you are one 
of the drafted men." 

The man hung his head for a moment in per- 
fect disgust. "Well then," said he, "I will 
be right down, and do all I can." And he 
was the first man there. 

The total enlistments under various calls, 
were 78. The amount of money raised to pro- 
cure enlistments, was $3,100; and of that a- 
mount, $1 .900 was raised by tax upon the 
town, and the ballance procured by individual 
subscription. Besides this amount, $700, was 
raised by donations, for the hospital and San- 
itary Commission. 

We will not dwell too long upon the war 
statistics of the town ; but will say in all cases, 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



121 



the town furnished her quota of volunteers, and 
no drafted men had to go. 

The following is a list of volunteers, and the 
company and regiment in which thay enlisted 
from the town. 

18th Regiment, N. Y. S. V. 

Jason Spencer enlisted iulS(U, and was 
killed and buried on the field of battle. 

James DeForester we have no record, more 
tban that he was killed and buried on the field 
of battle. 

Marshall Morris, a short time after he enlis- 
ted, came home sick and died and was buried 
in the Union cemetery. 

Manson Sanborn ; no more record. 

Masten. No record. 

George Clark enlisted in 1861, and was 
slightly wounded. Came home and soon after 
married Miss. Hendershott. He now lives on 
Marrowback hills. 

Co. B., 104th Regiment, N. Y. S. V. 

Henry Timbrooks enlisted in 1 861 , and 
served three years until discharged in 18()4, 
when he re-enlisted in the 1 36th regiment, and 
was wounded at Bull Run and Laurel Hill in 
1864. Came back to Conesus, and for a time 
carried the mail between this place and Scotts- 
burgh. He now lives at Conesus Center. 

Charles Wilder enlisted in 186'2, and died 
soon after at Albany, N. Y. 

John Piatt enlisted in 1 862 ; was discharged 
the same year on account of debility, and came 
home where he died in 1864, and is buried in 
the Conesus cemetery. 

Albert Piatt enlisted in the year of 1862, 
and was wounded at the battle of Gettysburgh 
July 1st, 1863 ; came back and settled in Steu- 
ben county, N. Y., where he died since the war. 

William H. Gould enlisted in 1862, and was 
discharged with his regiment in 1 865 ; now re- 



sides in Springwater, N. Y. 

Charles Bush enlisted in 1 862 ; was killed 
by a cannon-ball which hit him in the stomach, 
in the first battle he went into. Was buried 
on the field. 

John Brown enlisted in 1862, and at the 
close of the war came back to the town. Can 
not tell now where he is. 

Charles Holmes enlisted in 1 862, and at the 
close of the war came back and bought a house 
and lot north of Foot's Corners, where he re- 
sided until 1876, when he went to Kansas, 
where he now resides. 

Co. G., 130th Regiment, N. Y. S. V. 
[Afterwards 1st N. Y. Dragoons.] 

Peter Sawdey, we have no record. Now lives 
in Springwater, N. Y. 

Lucus Doud enlisted in 1862; was shot at 
the battle of To<ld's Tavern, Va., and wounded, 
and supposed to have died with the lock-jaw. 
His family still live in the town. 

William Slaighter enlisted in 1 862 : now 
living in Livonia, N. Y. 

William Spears. No record. 

Charles Ray enlisted in 1862, and after the 
war came back and bought a farm on the Mar- 
rowback hills, where lie resided until 1886, 
when he moved to Livonia, N. Y. 

Mose Acker, went as a Captain's waiter in 
1 862. No more record. 

Moses Slaighter enlisted in 1862, and is 
supposed to have been shot on the field of bat- 
tle, as that was the last heard of him. 

Co. I., 136th Regiment, N. Y S. V. 
Henry L. Arnold enlisted in 1862, and en- 
tered the army as Captain ; was promoted to 
Colonel of the regiment for bravery ; was shot 
in the leg at the battle of Benton ville, Ga., 
March 19th, 1865, as he was standing on a log 
and cheering his men on to action. He now 



122 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



resides at Geneseo, where he went soon after 
the war, and now holds the position in the ser- 
vice of the state, as " Commissioner of Dis- 
charged Convicts," 

Matthew Mead served as Second Lieutenant 
through the war. He returned home and soon 
after went to Rochester, were he is now follow- 
ing the profession of shoe-maker. 

Charles Bullard was First Lieutenant of his 
(^onipany, and while in service was wtmnded. 
He left the town soon after the war, and where 
he is now, I am unable to say. 

William Lawn was sergeant of his company. 
He fell upon the blood-stained field of Resaca, 
Ga., May 16th, 1864, and was buried on the 
field. Before entering the service, he was a 
farm laborer, and at the time of his enlistment 
was residing with the late Hector Hitchcock. 
He left a wife and child. 

Fayette McFarlin enlisted iji 1 862, and died 
with dysentery at Washington, D. C, in Au- 
gust of that year. 

Watson Thomas enlisted in August of 18()2, 
and was taken sick with dysentery and cau.e 
home on a furlough November 11 th, 1868. A 
short tine after he reached home, and on the 
day that his furlough expired, he died ; and his 
last resting place is in the Conesus cemetery. 

John I'^uane Alger enlisted in 18()2, and in 
the fall of 1 868 were taken sick at Camp 
Smokey Hollow, A'a., and died, and his body 
was buried where he died, and never brought 
home for burial. 

Jerome Henry enlisted in 1 862. In the 
Spring of 1863, he was taken sick and died in 
the Hospital at Washington, D. C, and his 
body was brought home for burial in the Cone- 
sus cemetery. He left a wife and several chil- 
dren, who still live at Union Corners. 

James Conlon enlisted at Conesus Center, 
August 31st, 1862; was wounded at Gettys- 



burgh in the arm July 3d, 1863, which was 
amputated at Philadelphia, August 13th. He 
was discharged June 24th, 1865, and came 
back to Conesus Center;— where he now lives, — 
and carried the mail between that place and 
Scottsburgh for several years. 

Charles Beadle was a shoe-maker, and en- 
listed in 1862, and served until 1864. He is 
now in Wisconsin. 

Orville M. Chapen enlisted in 1862, and 
served through the war. He came home and 
purchased a farm east of Conesus Center, where 
he now lives. 

Allen Timbrooks enlisted in 1862, and served 
through the war, and came back to the town. 
Now in Michigan. 

James McGlin enlisted in 1862; he was 
wounded a the battle of Chancellorville, May 
3d, 18(')3, and taken prisoner and sent to Lib- 
by Prison, Richmond, Va., from which he was 
afterwards exchanged. He is still single, and 
lives in Livonia. 

William Polen enlisted in 1 862 ; was dis- 
charged at Stafford Court House, Va., in 1863 
for inability ; came home, and purchased a 
house and lot at Foot's Corners, where he re- 
sided until his wife died, in 1882. He now 
lives in Sparta, N. Y. 

Henry Compton enlisted as Company's cook 
in 18(32, and held the position through the war; 
is now in Illinois, where he went soon after. 

James Compton enlisted in 1 862 ; deserted 
in 1863, at the battle of Gettysburgh, Pa. 

Chester Gould enlisted in 1862, and served 
until 1863, when he lost the use of his voice, 
and was discharged. Soon after his return, he 
moved to Pontiac, Mich., where he resded un- 
til 1 882, when he moved back to the town. 

Joel Johnson enlisted in 1 862, and was dis- 
charged on account of inability, and came back 
to the town and married, and then moved to 



THE HISTORY OF C0NESU8. 



123 



Springwater, and back to the town again. He 
now owns a sniall place in the soutliern part of 
the Marrowback hills. 

Horace Wing enlisted in 1862, but was dis- 
charged on account of sickness in I860. From 
here he went to Dansville, and tor a time was 
the Proprietor of the Clinton Hotel. Now 
(iwns a farm in Sparta. 

Harrison Coleman enlisted in 1S()2, and 
served through the war, and was promoted to 
1 st. Sergeant. After his return, he married 
and went to Saginaw, Mich., where he is in the 
Livery business. 

Joseph Barnhart enlisted in 1862, and was 
discharged in the fall of that year. Re-en- 
listed in I860, in the 14th Heavy Artillery, 
and was wounded at Cold Harbor in 1864. 
Now a resident of Canadice, N. Y, 

Abram Tittsworth enlisted in 1862, and was 
discharged the same year, by being sick. On 
his return, he and his family moved to Kal- 
amazoo, Mich. 

Orlando Webster enlisted in 1862. Deserted 
in I860. At the close of the war came back 
to the town, and was drowned in Conesus lake, 
in 1872. 

William Cole enlisted in 1862, and deserted 
at the first battle of Gettysburgh. 

Theodore Acker enlisted in 1862. Now in 
Michigan. 

Robert F. Kullard enlisted in 1862, and was 
wounded at Mission Ridge, Tenn., November 
of 1864. Now in Perry, N. Y. 

Samuel Maring enlisted in 1 862, and died 
in the Hospitipal in 1863. 

Reuben Cole enlisted in 1862, and deserted 
at the first days battle of Gettysburgh. 

Issac Philhower enlisted in 1862, and served 
until 1 865. He now lives at Conesus Center. 

John Gills enlisted in 1862, and was wounded 
at Gettysburgh in 1863, and discharged. 



A. F. Tompson enlisted in 1862. After a 
short time he came home sick, and died Oc- 
tober 27th, 1864. 

Samuel Compton enlisted in 1862 ; was 
killed in a threshing-machine on the Marrow- 
back hills, in 1885. 

Henry Piatt enlisted in 1862, and soon af- 
ter taken sick, and came home and died, and 
was buried in the Conesus cemetery. 

William Rurdick enlisted in 1862, and was 
honorably discharged. He now resides in the 
town. 

William Agen enlisted in 1862, but his health 
failed him, and he was transferred to the Inva- 
lid corps in 1 864. Now resides in the town, 
on Turkey Hill. 

John Swartout enlisted in 1 862, and came 
home sick, and died September lOth 1 862, and 
is buried in the Conesus cemetery. 

Gilbert Lewis enlisted in 1 862, and was 
honorable discharged, has since resided in town. 

Jonas Sourbier, Christopher Sylvester and 
John Tierney enlisted in 1862; but we have 
no more record of them. 

188th Regiment, N. Y. S. V. 

Wilber Payne enlisted in Company K, in 
1 864: was wounded at the battle of Five Forks, 
Va., April 1st, 1 865 ; came home and socm went 
to Maryland, and came back t(» Conesus again. 

Daniel Sliker enlisted in Company D, in 
1864. Was honorable discharged in 1865, and 
is now in Ohio. 

Morgan Shafer enlisted in Company C, in 
1864. Came back, and now resides in the 
south-west part of the town. 

Daniel Hoes enlisted in Company K, in 1864. 
Was honorably discharged at the close of the 
war, and came back to the town, and now re- 
sides at Belfast, N. Y. 

William Gray enlisted in Company I, in 



124 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



1 864. Caiue home at the close of the war and 
went to Michigan, and there died, and his body 
was brought back and buried in the Conesus 
Center cemetery. 

Joseph Harvey enlisted in Company K., in 
1864, and was promoted to Ist. Lieutenant. 
At the close of the war, came back to Conesus 
and married, and then went to Michigan. 

Jacob Gray enlisted in Company I., in 1864, 
and was discharged in 1865. He is now liv- 
ing in the south part of the town. 

William Wiliston enlisted in Company B., 
in 1864. Came back to the town and now re- 
.>ides at Union Corners. 

Alvin Bearss enlisted in Con.pany P., in 
1864. Now resides on Turkey Hill. 

John McNinch, George Patten and Arling- 
ton Sylvester enlisted in Company I)., in 1864. 
No more record (^f them. 

The following is a list of those belonging 
to other regiments than what we have given. 

G. Wiley Wells enlisted in 1861, in Com- 
j,any — , 'iTth Regiment, in which he served 
with honor, and was promoted to 1st. Lieuten- 
ant. Upon his return, he was detailed to re- 
cruit for the 130th Regiment, and re-entered 
the same as 1 st. lieutenant. After the close 
of the war, he went to Mississippi, and from 
that State he was sent as Representative to 
Congress, and under President Grant's Admin- 
istration, was sent as U. S. Consul to China. 

Theodore Redmond enlisted in the 14th. 
Heavy Artillery in 1863, and served until 1865, 
and then came home and went to Michigan, 
where he died in 1872 or '73. 

Jessie B. Losey enlisted in 1864 in the 
22nd N. Y. Cavalry as Assistant Surgeon. Now 
a physician in Conesus. 

William Brown enlisted in 1864 in the 22nd 
Cavalry, At the close of the war was sent 
West to fight Indians, and was wounded over 



the eye, by being kicked with a horse. I am 
unable to state where he is now. 

Livingston Clark, Israel Wells and Ward 
Moore enlisted in 1864 in the 21st N. Y. Cav- 
alry. No more record of them. 

Joseph Orr belonged to the 93d Regiment, 
but did not go from the town, yet he come 
back here to live. 

William Harrison enlisted in the U. S. Na- 
vy in 1864. Was discharged for inability in 
1865, and now resides in the town. 

George Northrup enlisted in the U. S Na- 
vy in March of 1864. Was sent to Tunica 
Island, La., where he became home-sick, and 
while in a fit of dispondency, jumped over- 
board and was drowned. 

John Puane Scott enlisted in March of 1864 
in the U. S. Navy. He served faithful the 
period of his enlistment, and now resides in 
Conesus. 

Andrew Kuder enlisted in Company L., 8th 
N. Y. Cavalry, August 25th, 1862, and was 
promoted to Captain of Company B., of the 
same regiment. He went from Groveland, 
but now resides in Conesus. 

Joseph Thomas — who was born and reared 
to manhood in the town before going W^est, — 
enlisted in Company H., 1st. Michigan Volun- 
teers. He was killed in the following man- 
ner : — A Comrade had been out on duty and 
came into Joseph's tent, as he was preparing 
to go out on picket duty. In some manner the 
lock of the Comrade's gun became entangled 
in his clothes, and was discharged, and Joseph 
receiyed the contents through the body. He 
lived about five hours, and was buried where 
he died. 

State Militia of the Town. 

Before the year of 1860, there were several 
Companies of State Militia in the town. For 



THE HISTORY OF C0NESU8. 



125 



in those days, every man between the age of 
eighteen and forty-five, was enrolled to serve 
a length of time in the militia service of the 
State. How many different organziations there 
has been in the town, we are unable to say. 
Hut at one time, there were three companies, 
as follows : — 

1st. The Horse (Company, commanded by 
.Jones Scott, who held the office of Colonel, 
ifow many men he had, we can not say. 

■2nd. The Infantry Company, commanded 
l>y Henry x\rnold as Captain, who served so 
faithful in the last war. 

od. The Artillery Company, under the 
conniiand of Lewis (Uark, Colonel. Tiiis com- 
pany had a six pound cannon, which in the late 
years has been destroyed. The fate of this 
" old carmon," is remarkable, and it has been 
through many trying scenes, and in particular 
on a certain occasion, 1 will describe as f<illo\vs: 

The cannon had been used many times to 
jiive forth its echo upon election news. One 
night the victorious party made due prepreatiou 
to salute their defeated friends.. The defeated 
party not cherishing the idea, stole the march 
of the victorious party, seized the caimon and 
drew it to a spot north of the Grist-mill, and 
dumped it into the gully, breaking it badly. 
" No cannon, that night, sent forth tlie songs 
of the victorious party." In a few days, the 
defeated party had the pleasure of getting the 
" old cannon "" out of the gully, and rt'pairing it. 
Several times it has been spiked, for nothing 
more then the work of mischievous boys: and 
tti-day, without doubt, it has gone to the melt- 
ing furnace. 

The training grounds, used by the different 
organizations of the town, seems to liave been 
held at two places. One at Foot's Corners, 
and the other near the present residence of Ezra 
(rray's — then owned by Thomas Young — at 



Conesus Center. These company trainings 
were generally held one day in the week, ex- 
cept on general training days, when they would 
last several days in succession. The "Gen- 
eral Training days," were looked for in great 
anticipation, and would draw together a large 
number of men, who would come from far and 
near, — if for nothing more then to get a piece 
of ginger-bread baked on a board, which the 
loaf would often be from ten to twelve feet in 
length. 

Many different ways was resorted too, to 
pass the time away. One of the most impor- 
ant, was the " Sham fights," which was held to 
test the discipline of the officers, in the hand- 
ling of their men. These battles sometimes 
were made to lead to a serious affiiir ; as all 
men were not honest, while others were mis- 
chievous. One of these sad affairs, which came 
near shedding innocent bhod, transpired at 
Conesus Center, some fifty years ago, as fol- 
lows: 

One of these tights was advertised -to take 
place near the residence then of Thomas Youngs. 
The two contending companies consisted of 
what was called the " Invalid Corps," consist- 
ing of men not belonging to the regular service, 
and under command of the late Rev. Sylvester 
Morris, — then a Captain in the Militia of the 
town. The Kegular Militia was commanded 
by Hiram Boyd, then a Lieutenant in the same. 

The two companies were placed in position. 
The "Invalid Corps," cccupying the orchard 
north of the house, and the Militia south of the 
same. The two companies then charged upon 
each f»ther several tinies, and at last, resorted 
to the taking of prisoners. 

The " Invalid Company," thinking it smart 
and unknown to their Captain, filled their 
jtockets with cider apples, and when they ad- 
vanced upon the Militia, drew a shower of ap- 



1-26 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



pies upon Lieut. Boyd's men, hitting many 
about the head and face. This treatment en- 
raged the soldiers of Lieut. Boyd to a high 
pitch, and they at once, fixed their bayonets and 
prepared to charge ujxm the '' Invalid Corpse." 
Lieut. Boyd and Capt. Morris, saw at once that 
something must be done to preserve order, or 
blood would soon flow. Lieut. Boyd graspped 
his sword, — which he soon spoiled, — and rushed 
iti front of his men, and Capt. Morris did the 
same toward his, and between the two, suc- 
ceeded in quiteing the malcontents. 

In the conflict, many received bloody noses, 
and the Drum-major of the militia, smashed 
out both ends of his drum over one of the " In- 
valid mens" head. This wound up this kind 
of sport for several years to come. 

(_)ne of the saddest events connected with the 
lullitia of the town, was the shooting of Abner 
Wilcox, near Upper Lakeville, about fifty 
years ago. This family lived upon the farm 
now owned by the family of the late Sylvester 
Morris, and had a young son, about fifteen 
years of age, who had accompanied his father 
— who belonged to the militia coitpany of 
the town, under conimand of Lieut. Hiram 
Boyd — to a general training at the above j)lace. 



The company had been called into line, and 
Lieut. Boyd was at the front of his men, and 
engaged in making out a list of arms in his 
company, and at the time was writing it on the 
head of a drum. 

At the time, there had been a company from 
Lima, detailed for guard duty, and stationed 
over the grounds. As it was the custom in those 
days for each man to furnish his own gun. In 
this company, there was a young man, — perhaps 
poor — had borrowed a gun of a neighbor, who 
had used it on a hunt the day before, and left 
it loaded, and had forgot to inform the young 
man. At this time the young man was kneel- 
ing and had his gun resting across his knee, 
and was snapping the hammer, when to his sur- 
prise it was discharged, and the ball went on 
its deathly course, passing over the head of 
Lieut. Boyd and scarcely missing it, striking- 
Poor Willcox in the region of the heart, kill- 
ing him in an instant. lie threw his hand to 
his heart and exclaimed as he fell : " My God I 
I am shot." This at once ended the days sport, 
as they bore his cold form to his father's house, 
and the next day, his friends in tears followed 
his remains to their last resting place in the 
Conesus (^enter cemetery. 




CHAPTER XVII. 



Idrti^tive^ and Record of ^intorifi^l ^vmt§. 



M^M^ was not long after the settlement of 

"^jl^l^^the town, before the early settlers be- 

^1^ gau the task of building saw and grist- 

'^ mills, distillieries, woolen-mills, etc., 

t(t assist them in their manual labor, and to 

make the daily toils of life easy. 

The first of these improvements, was the 
saw-mill, and the first one built in the town, 
was known as the " Henderson's mill," built 
by Esq. Henderson in 1795, near the present 
sight of Conesus Center. To raise this mill, 
he was obliged to obtain assistance from the 
surrounding towns. This mill stood upon the 
sight of the present grist-mill, and did good 
service for the early settlers. 

The next saw-mill, was the Wing mill, 
that stood u})on lot No. 104, built by Nathan- 
iel Cole, in 1 81<). This stood in the Calabogue 
Hollow, of which we know but little about. 

The next was the Purchase saw-mill, built 
by Davenport Alger, about the year of 1 828. 
It was situated in the gully of that name, and 
about one hundred rods south of the residence 
of Jacob Wester. Another saw-mill was built 
by Hosea Gilbert in 1833 or '34, in the Mill 
gully, east of the residence of McMillen Bros. 
The old dilapidated frame of this mill is still 

12 



standing, being the only one standing, except 
Humphry's, which we have already described. 

The first portable saw-mill ever used in 
the town, was by Charles Humphry about the 
year of 1881 or '82. It was used upon lands 
owned by Lawrence Webster, on the Marrow- 
back hills. 

The first grist-mill was built by Purchase 
& Baker, in 1 824. It stood in the Purchase 
gully, south of the residence of Jacob \\ ester, 
on lot No. 42. All that is now left of this 
useful enterprise, is the old foundation of the 
mill, the dilapidated ends of the mill-dam, the 
mill-stones that was shaped out of a solid boul- 
der, found in our lands, and now lies partly 
buried up with the earth, and through the 
center, a woodchuck uses it as the mouth nftiis 
retreat. The next grist-mill was a mill that 
stood north of the residence of John Jerome, 
on land now owned by Franklin Foot. This 
mill was only used to grind grain for a distill- 
ery that was there. The next mill was the 
Rockafellow mill at Conesus Center, which 
we have already described. 

There has been several distileries at one 
time in the town. These aided the early set- 
tlers to a great extent, for they would take their 



•28 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



wheat there aud exchange it for whiskey, which 
they would trade for labor. The whiskey at 
this time, being worth but eighteen cents per 
gallon. This was abandoned a number of years 
ago. Tliere was another distillery sitixated in 
the Purchase gully, which was built by Pur- 
chase & Baker, about the year of 1824. This 
also was of great service to the settlers. There 
were two other distillerys at the same time in 
the town, — one on lot No. .^4, — of which we 
have no record. 

The most ini])ortaiit manufactury, was the 
old woolen factory, at the head of Conesus lake, 
;it the mouth of the Purchase gully. It was a 
large frame building, and was erected by Es- 
quire Henderson in 1816 or '17, and was used 
as a fulling mill. After a few years, the water 
supply was found to be iucidiquate, and Hosea 
(xilbert opened a water-course from Mill creek, 
through hog-back, and carried the water in a 
trctugh to the north side of the Purchase gully 
to the flume leading to the woolen-mill. Toac- 
cumplisli tliis, they were (tbliged to cut through 
a high mountain of some sixty feet of solid or 
slate rocks, for the distance of a hundred feet. 
This task, was considered a great undertaking 
at the time ; in the present day it would be ac- 
complished by tunneling, instead of blasting 
from top to bottom. The mill after being used 
for several years, and no longer of service to the 
inhabitants, was abandoned, and since has been 
torn down. In this mill, the late William 
Scott, of Scottsburgh, N. Y., in 1818 or '19, 
carded the first yard of cloth, that were ever 
carded in tln> town. 

One of the most charitable enterprises in the 
town, that gave aid to the early settlers, was 
the pot-asheries. The poor would save all of 
their wood ashes — and even would burr) log 
heaps for them, — and then take it to the ash- 
erys, and sell it for goods or money. 



To our knowledge, there were two of these 
enterprises in town. One of them was owned 
by Hiram May, who kept a small store near the 
residence of Romeyn Cole, and in a short time 
moved it to Foot's Corners, in the year of 1819. 
He would sell his goods to the poor, and take 
ashes for pay, which he would convert into pot- 
ash, aud sell the same to replenish his stock. 
He was succeeded in 1820 by Martin Neal, 
who carried on business at this place, on a lar- 
ger scale, and after a few years, it was aban- 
ed. The other one, was that of Purchase & 
Baker, situated in the Purchase gully, near the 
residence of Jacob Wester in 1825, of which 
we are unable to describe. 

Charcoal was another enterprise among the 
early settlers. This was accomplished by dig- 
ing a large hole in the ground, and cutting 
wood — which was principally soft timber — and 
standing it in the hole on the end, and covering 
it over with dirt, and then setting it on fire. 
Often these pits would contain from sixty t(3 
one hundred cords. These pits were obliged 
to be watched night and day ; for, should a 
hole break through the top, it would have to be 
i-epaired at once, or the wood would burn to 
ashes. In caring for these pits, it would have 
to be done with great risk to the tender, and 
many narrow escapes were nuide, from falling 
into these " firey furnaces," which would have 
been certain death. Some times nearly a week 
would pass, before the pit could be opened, 
and the c<ials raked out. Many places can be 
seen to-day by the dark earth and burned coals, 
where one of the enterjirises has taken place. 

The first reaper that was in the town, was 
purchased by Hiram Boyd and Jotham Clark, 
Sen., about the year of 1850. It was called 
the " Huzzy," and was built at Auburn, N. Y. 
"This was a huge machine." It had a drive- 
wheel about four feet high and a six inch face. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



129 



The tbllj and spokes were made of wood, 
and had a cast iron hub, about eight inches in 
diameter and the same in length. The main 
sliaft was three inches in diameter, and from 
two and one-half to three feet in length. (In 
the same was a strait gear of about two feet in 
diameter, with a three inch face. This con- 
nected another bevel gear upon an inch and 
one-half shaft, which ran in another bevel gear 
of about four inches on a crank shaft of an inch 
and one-half in diameter, which drove the 
knives. The section bar was wrought iron, 
weighing about fifty pounds. The guards were 
of wrought iron, three-fourth of an inch square 
and was riveted to a wooden cutter-bar made 
<tf two inch plank, ten inches wide, and about 
eight feet in length. The frame was made of 
three by four inch square ash timber, bolted 
strongly together, and the machine was at- 
tached to the forward wheels of a wagon, to 
draw and guide it with. It would cut seven 
feet in width and eacli corner of the lot had to 
craddled inti», so as to turn the same. All the 
grain was raked o»i and off by hand. It took 
three horses to draw it, as it weighed nearly a 
ton. When the owners brought it into the 
titwn, it was a great curiosity, and many came 
to see the wonders. It was used first upon 
the lower side (»f the road Vjetween Conesus 
and Livonia, on the lands of Iliram Boyd. 
AH day long the fences were lined with teams 
from far and near, who had come to see it work. 
It was in operation for nearly twenty years. 

The first self-raking reaper used in the town, 
was a Hubbard machine, jiurchased and used 
by Timothy Degraw on the hill lot, north of his 
residence, in 1868. The first self-binding 
reaper was brought into the town, by Stephen 
E. Sherwood, in 1876 or '77. It was a very 
heavy machine, and fail<^d to do its work satis- 
factorily, and was sent back to the company 



again. I believe it was made by the Johnston 
Harvester Company, of Batavia, N. Y. 

One of the first mowers in the town, was 
purchased by my father (Hiram Boyd), in 
1857. It was a Howard, made at Buffalo, N. 
Y. "1 remember very well, when my father 
purchased the machine. A Mr. Thurston of 
Livonia came to our house a few days before 
he would wish to use one, and urged very hard 
for my father to buy a mower of him. My 
father hesitated at first, for he could not 
believe tliere could be such a machine made, 
as My. Thurston represented to him. At last 
Mr. Thurston made such an impression on my 
father, that he consented to let him send him 
one for trial, with the understanding if it 
did not do as Mr. Thurston represented, my 
father was to draw it by the side of the road 
and leave it, and Mr. Thurston was to come 
after it." 

" The machine was t<j come on the cars, and 
to have been here the Saturday before he was 
to have used it. My brother went to the de- 
pot the Saturday morning as agreed, but it did 
not come. The Monday morning came, that 
my father was to connuence his haying. So 
obtaining several hands, he prepared to do it 
by the 'old way.' W hile the dew was on the 
grass in the morning, my father sent my bro- 
ther to the depot again, and to their surprise, 
it can.e on the morning train. They brought it 
honie and soon put it together. Yet they still 
could not believe it would do all that was 
claimed of it. My brother took the machine 
to the lot west of the Conesus cemetery, to 
commence operation; my father sent his men 
also witli their scythes, to go to work when it 
failed. My brother started in, and the little 
machine left a swathe behind it. My father 
still had his dc)ubts that it would yet fail, and 
Mr. Thurston would have to come and tjet his 



1 30 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



machine. My father then was called to the 
house, after leaving instructions with my 
brother to mow until noon, expecting that he 
would succeed in that time in cutting two or 
three acres. When the hour of twelve came, he 
liad about six acres cut, and the men whom had 
been engaged, spent the forenoon in the shade. 
The little machine did its work so finely, that 
the next year, my father did not have any grass 
grow on the lot. Not knowing how to adjust 
it, it mowed the ground so close, as to kill all 
the grass-roots. My father kept the machine 
for several years, 'his special pride.' " 

The next invention, that was of great impor- 
tance to the farmers, was a threshing-machine 
to separate and thresh the " golden grain" from 
the straw, and in accomplishing the same, many 
devices were adopted. The first, was by the 
flail, swung by the strong arms of the men, or 
treading the grain from the straw, by horses or 
L-attle. This was in operation, until threshing- 
machines came in use. 

The first one in the town, w.is fifty or sixty 
years ago, and was known as the " L'ouglas 
machine,'"' and owned by lliramMay, at Foot's 
(^orners. This machine was constructed by 
raising two large posts, with a heavy beam 
from one to the other, in form of a bent. From 
this bent there was a shaft ran down, with a wheel 
on top, and a hole through the same in which 
was inserted a sw6ep, and a horse wjis hitched 
to this, so as he roiild travel between the posts, 
and turn the shaft and wheel. From the 
wheel, tliere ran a belt or rope to an open cyl- 
inder, which they passed tlie grain tlirongli, 
doing the separation by hand. 

The next machine was that of Alexander 
Patterson and Hiram Boyd. This consisted of 
an upright shaft, placed on the out-side of the 
V)arn, with a sweep in it, to hitch a horse to. 
On toj) of the shaft, was a large wheel, on which 



a chain ran from this to another wheel that was 
on the shaft that had the drive-wheel on, and 
from this to an open cylinder, on the barn-floor. 

The next improved machine, was the Bills 
machine, made at Mount Morris, N, Y. The 
power was made with an iron wheel, in a wooden 
frame. The cylinder was drove by a pulley, 
on the end of the tumbling-rod, connecting to 
the power. The machine had a cylinder that 
was open, and the separation done by hand. 

In the year of 1839, Thomas Luke brought 
the first separator into the town. This con- 
sisted of a cylinder and fanning-mill in the same 
frame, and the straw was run from the cylin- 
der to the rattles by a belt. It had no straw- 
carrier. 

James McNinch and Matthew Allen in 1841, 
bought of B. F. Dow & Co.jof Fowlerville,N. 
Y., a tnachine like Lukes, except in the place 
of the belt they used rattles. They sold this 
machine, and then purchased in 184'2, the first 
complete machine — consisting of cylinder, chafi"- 
carrier, fanning-mill, straw-carrier elevators, 
etc. — ever used in the town ; using the wooden 
frame power, as described above. The first 
iron frame power, was brought into the town 
in 1844, by James McNinch and Geo. F. Coe. 

The first portable thrashing engine in the 
town, was brought here by Wm. Holmes in 
187<'. It was Wood's engine, made at Clyde, 
N. Y. Tlie first traction engine, was that of 
John Holmes, in July, of 1884. It was called 
the " Wide-a-Wake," made by J, 0, Spencer 
& Son, of Waterloo, N. Y. 

Th.e first stationary-engine, was that of Coe 
& Baylas, in the grist-mill at Conesus Center, 
about 1844. The same was sold by E. W. & 
J. F. Clark, a few years ago, and was re- 
placed by a second one by them. The first 
steam saw-mill, is that of Charles Humphry, 
at Conesus Center, built in 187-. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



131 



The year when the first plow was introduced 
into the town, we are unable to say. But it 
was not long after the first settlemnet. At 
this time they were rudely made, having a 
wooden mould-board covered with iron, and one 
handle, which in a few years afterwards they 
were improved by using two handles. These 
])lows had a wrought iron point, which was 
taken off and sent to the blacksmith shop when 
dull, to be sharpened. The next improved 
plow, was a cast-iron plow called the "Liv- 
ingston County Plow," made at East Avon, 
N. Y., by Thomas Wiard, about 184(), and 
was nearly the same style, as made at the p)res- 
ent day. The first sulkey-plow, brought into 
the town, was by James Alger, about 1870. 

When the first iron tooth drag was introduced 
into the town, we have no record; yet it could 
not have been far from the year of 1885 or '40. 
IJefore this date, they were made from the forks 
of a tree in the shape of a "V." The first 
spring-tooth harrow was brought here by ^Vil- 
liam L. Perrin, about the year of 1870, and was 
made by Ovlin k Co., Perry, N. Y. 

The raking of all the hay and grain from the 
first settlement of the town for several years 
were done by hand. Then the}" brought into 
use the revolving horse-rake for hay, about the 
year of 1885, which was used until the wheel 
horse-rake took its place. For raking stubble, 
they first used a one horse, wire-tooth rake, 
and the driver walked behind, and when he 
came to the windrow, would raise it up by two 
handles, to dumj) it. The next came was the 
wheel horse-rake, and the first one in town, was 
owned by James Alger, about the year I860. 

The first hay-tedder that was used here, was 
by the McMillan Bro's, of which we have no 
date. Although it must have been about the 
year of 1 868. It was called the " American." 

The first platform-scales owned in the town, 



was erected by A. D. Coe, where Dodge's 
hardware store now stands. In what year, we 
are unable to say. Yet it was not far from 
1 857. These scales was destroyed in the great 
fire of 1871. 

^^ ho started the first cider mill in the town, 
we have no record. One of the first, was 
that of Davenport Alger's, who owned and ran 
one upon the farm now owned by his son James 
Alger. The date of this mill, we can not tell. 
Since that time, there has been three or four 
different ones here, as follows : One at the 
head of the Conesus lake, owned by J. G. 
Pridmore. One south of Conesus Center, 
owned by David Coleman. One in the north- 
ern part of the town, upon lands now owned 
by Mrs. Harriett King, and owned by John 
Mc Vicar. These mills were all run by horse- 
power and the pressing done by hand. 

In the fall of 1 874, Bennett R. Boyd built 
the first steam cider mill, near the residence of 
Mrs. Harriett King, on the land of his father. 
Here he did the grinding by the power of a 
10 horse engine, and the working of the press 
by hand. ' In 1876, he went into partnership 
with Andrew Kuder, and n:oved into the build- 
ing they now occupy, and then added more ma- 
ehiner}', so as to do the grinding, pumping, 
pressing and elevating, by steam-power. 

The first and only cheese-factoi y in the town 
was started by Andrew Perrin, in the Spring 
of 1878, near his residence, south of Conesus 
Center. It was a company formed of the sur- 
rounding farmers, who carried their milk there 
and had it made into cheese. It was in op- 
eration for a short time, and then abandoned, 
and the building has since been converted hito 
a horse barn by the above gentleman. 

The first hop-yard was started by Solomon 
Trescott at Conesus Center, in the year of 1 862, 
and part of the same is now still in operation. 



132 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



He was soon followed by Lewis Carroll, and 
still later, by David Coleman, Amos D. Coe, 
and others. 

The first evaporater was started at Conesus 
Center, by Trescott Bros., in 1869. They 
have dryed several thousand bushels of apples 
every fall since. 

The first church-bell, and the heaviest bell, 
was placed upon the school-house at Conesus 
(^enter, in 1870. Its weight is about -iSOlbs. 
Thn next heaviest, is the farm-bell of Hiram 
and William Boyd, bought in the summer of 
1 884. Its weight is 1601bs. The first farm- 
bell in town, was purchased by Franklin Foot, 
Sept. 21, 1868. Weight, 601bs. 

The first iron road bridge built here, was 
erected by Road Commissioner, A. J. Piekle, 
over the inlet creek, at the head of Conesus 
lake, in the summer of 1883. The second one 
by Commissioner Maron Cole^ in the spring of 
1886. 

The first billiard-room was opened in the 
town, by Frank Eno, in the building now 
occupied by G rover & Snyder, in the fail of 
1 865. In a few weeks he was followed by a 
second one in the town hall, by Ihivenpc»rt 
Alger. In the spring of 1 886, these two fell 
into the hands of John C. Coe, who built the 
bulding on the oposite side of the street, and 
moved into the same. 

Tlie first lathe for turning iron, was brought 
into the town by William P. Boyd, June 4th, 
1878. 

In January of 1 875, he opened the first print- 
ing off"ice in the town. At the time of the open- 
ing of this office, (which was located at the resi- 
dence of Hiram Boyd,) there was no printing 
office nearer than Geneseo, or Dansville. In 
this office, he had the first printing press here. 
The second press was introduced by (leo. K. 
Vincent, soon after ; both of these presses were 



hand-lever presses. Two years later, I placed 
in the place of this press, a rotary power one 
of my own make, being the first printing press 
that was built in the town. In 1884, I issued 
from this press, a book entitled, " History of 
the Boyd Family and Descendants," being the 
first book ever printed here. 

In the spring of 1867, the first base-ball 
club was formed here. They had their play- 
grounds, between Union Corners and Conesus 
Center, on lands owned by Timothy Degraw. 
This club only existed through one summer. 

The first tin-shop was opened in town by Chas. 
Thorpe in the house now occupied by Henry 
Cramer. But the date it was opened, we have 
not. The first hardware store was opened by 
John Podge at Conesus Center, in an "old 
building" that stood im the street leading to 
the depot, in the fall of 1867. From here he 
moved into a new store, which was built by 
him in 1880 upon the sight of John C. Coe's 
building, across from the Universalist church, 
and in 1884, moved it across the way, where 
it now stands. The first dealer in coal in the 
town, was 0. W. (Miapin, about the year of 
1865. He. was succeeded by Jacob C. Green, 
in the Sunnner of 1885, and in the spring of 
1886, the business was transferred to William 
P. Boyd, who now owns the coal trestles at 
Conesus Center. 

The first instrumental band of music in the 
town, was formed at Conesus Center, about the 
year of 1858 or '59. It was known and called 
"Erwin's Cornet Band of Conesus." It was 
composed of eleven members, as follows : — 

1st. Eb., Henry Erwin ; 2nd Eb., Hiram 
McNinch; 1st Bb., Thomas Karnsworth; 2nd 
Bb., Matthew Mead: 1st Eb. Alto, Colvin C. 
Barnes: 2nd Bb. Alto, Orville Chapin ; Bary- 
tone, George Northrup : Bb. Bass, Frederick 
Straub ; Eb. Bass, Henry C. Coe ; Snair Drum, 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



133 



Lafayette Dartt; Bass Drum, John Northrup. 
The Band was broken up in 1861, by several 
of its members going to the war ; but was soon 
re-organized with new members, and continued 
in exsistance until 1881, when it was again 
broken up and disbanded. 

The first merino sheep was Vjrought into the 

town in 18'2'i or '23, by Fellows, who 

lived in the eastern part of the Marrowbaek 
liills. The next person deeply engaged in them, 
was Hector Hitchcock a few years afterwards. 
The sheep before this was of a poor breed : for 
they were very coarse, long-legged, and had but 
a little wool on the belly. 

The first sewing-machine brought into the 
town, was by S. K. Sherwood in about 1860. 
It was a Parker & Goodwin make. Mrs. Allen 
McNinch purchased one of them, being tlie first 
owner of the same, in the town. 

The first birth, was that of Jane Henderson, 
a daughter of Samuel Henderson, in 1 801 . The 
The first marriage, was that of Hugh Harrison 
and Elizabeth Collar in 1796. The first death 
was Elizabeth Collar in 1801. 

The first lawyer admitted Ui the bar from 
the town, was James .M. Alger, May 14 1S47. 
He still has resided here. 

The first Democratic pole raised at Conesus 
(-enter, was by Cleveland and Hendrick club, 
in the fall of 1 884. 

The first post-master in the town, was John 
Scott, who had an office at his residence on 
Turkey Hill. 

Incidents and Narhativks. 

The oldest person at the time of her death, 
that lived in the town, was Lucy Bates, who 
was born in 1 725, and died in 1 832. The next 
was Mary Mastiu, who lived to the age of 103. 
The oldest person now living in the town that 
was born here, is Polly (Alger) Morris, born 



Nov. 15, 1810. The oldest person living in the 
town, is Jothani Clark, born March 8, 1794. 

In the fall of th(; year of 1859, the town was 
excited over a large comet, that appeared in 
the western sky. This comet was very bright, 
had a long firey tail, and shone several weeks 
in succession. At the time, it was held by 
many as the fore-runner of the war of 1861. 

The year of 1820 is noted for the scarcity of 
salt in the town. It took eight bushels of wheat 
to buy a barrel, and many of the poorer settlers 
suffered for the want of it. 

In 1805 or '6, there was a large tribe of In- 
dians came and encamped for the winter, upon 
the flat latids of Hiram Boyd, west of his resi- 
dence. When spring came, they departed for 
another location. 

In the year of 1838, Robert McNinch came 
near meetin^a timely death, while assisting in 
raising a large shed, attached to the barn, now 
owned by Franklin Foot. They had raised 
one of the bents half-way up, when the foot 
slipped, and it fell back, narrowly missing the 
other workmen, and striking him in tlie stom- 
ach, knocking him down, and crushing him in- 
to sou;e soft earth, which saved his life. He 
was soon rescued, but badly injured, of which 
he never fully recovered. 

Several years ago, Benjamin Bearss was en- 
gaged in feeding a threshing-machine upon the 
the farm of Cyrus Trescott, along the shores of 
the Conesus lake. Benjamin wore a pair of mit- 
tens, and in some manner, he place his hand too 
close to the cylinder, and it caught one of them, 
and in an instant, drew his arm in, and man- 
gled it nearly to the shoulder. The concussion 
was so great as to stop the njachine, and to re- 
lease his arm, they were obliged to take the 
cylinder out. He bore it bravely, and with a 
good nerve had the same amputated without 
the use of any narcotics, and soon recovered. 



134 



THE HISTORY OP CONBSUS. 



In the winter of 1867, Scott Jones was driv- 
ing a young horse hitched to a cutter up the 
road by the grist-mill to Conesus Center, and 
as he reached the north sideof the mill, his horse 
became balky, and began pushing t!ie cutter 
with Mr. Jones in it toward the brink of the 
precipice — some 70 feet high — leading into 
the gully. Mr. Jones saw his perilous po- 
sition, gave a leap from the cutter, land- 
ing in the center of the highway, as his horse 
and cutter disappeard from his view, over the 
edge of the bank, and fell a mangled mass to 
the bottom of the gully. The horse was in- 
stantly killed, and the cutter broken to pieces, 
while -Mr. Jones and his friends felt grateful 
for his deliverance from a sure death. 

In years ago, — as well as at the present 
time, — it was a custom for the young men to 
visit the young ladies, on Sunda_^ evenings of 
mid-winter, to pass the time away. 

A number of years ago, a certain young man 
of the town, paid his respects to a young lady 
of high respectability, near Conesus Center. 
He made it his .custom to call every Sunday 
afternoon, through the whole winter. When 
spring came, an difference arose between them, 
and he stopped calling on his lady friend any 
more. The father of the young lady, feeling 
disappointed in not securing him as a son-in- 
law, as he supposed might be the case, com- 
inenced civil proceedings in the town, for the 
wood, lights, etc., they used through the win- 
ter hours, and received a judgenjent against 
liim, which he duly paid. 

Soon after the first settlement of the town, 
there was a certain landlord came to Conesus, 
and rented one of its famous hotels. He was a 
man of intemperate^habits, and when under the 
influence of " ardent spirits," was very abusive 
to his family. The pioneers, being a charita- 
ble, good disposed people, felt grieved at the 



conduct of the landlord, resolved to appoint 
a committee to call upon him, and ask of him, 
to do better. The landlord hearing of what 
was soon to o.-iur, purchased several bottles of 
the very best whiskey he could obtain, and set 
it away for his unwelcome (welcome at other 
times) visitors. 

The day at last came ; and the appointed 
committee called on the venerable landlord, 
and was condu«;ted into the best room, that the 
house could afford, and requested to be seated. 
After spending sometime in telling stories, and 
discussing the events of the da}^, the landlord 
arose and werit out, and soon returned with a 
bottle of his whiskey and several glasses, and 
the latter Ik- sat down on the table, and began 
filling them f'nmi the bottle, and at the same 
time, telling them that he had just got a new 
brand (tf whiskey and desired'them to sample it. 

After he had passed it around several times, 
and they had taken freely of it, the committe- 
men, began to deeply feel the effects of the 
liquor. One of their number more shrude 
than the resi, saw if they did their errand, 
they must u'o so at once, or they would become 
powerless to accomplish their undertaking. So 
one of their immber arose, and taking hold of 
a chair for support, said: — 

"Uncle, (as they called him,) we persume 
you know what we came here to-day for. AVe 
have conje to i-onsult yon in regard to your 
family ; and "" 

"AAell! Well!" said the landlord. (Vme, 
never mind that. Let's have another drink," 
as he jioured ont each another ghiss^ and urged 
his friends to accept of it. 

This accomplished the landlord's object : for 
the last glass laid out the eommittemen, who 
resolved in the future, to let their friends do 
their own talking to the honorable landlord, in 
regard to his bad doings. 



THE HISTORY OF C0NESU8. 



135 



The KJth. of January 1867, is the day that 
the robbery of the residence of John McVicar, 
now the Mrs. Harriet King place, in the north- 
ern part of the town took places 

This day, Mr. McVicar had gone away, and 
liis wife had gone to one of her neighbors (Mr. 
Alexander Patterson) who had died in the 
morning, to assist the family to make arrange- 
ments for the funeral She left the house about 
10 o'clock in the forenoon, and returned a lit- 
tle afternoon. In the meantime, a young 
man came along with a basket in his hand, 
selling stove-dampers, entered the yard, went to 
the door and knocked, but receiving no reply, 
looked in the window and saw that all had 
gone away. He raised the window, and crept 
in, and went to a bureau in one of the rooms, 
which he found locked. He now went to the 
wood-shed and get an ax, went back and pried 
open one of the drawers, and took out $27o, 
and then left the place. 

As soon as Mrs. !Mc\'icar returned, and 
found that her dominion had been entered, slie 
gave an alarm, and then her husband return- 
ing, he with the aid of his neighbors offered 
a suitable reward, and soon had men in })er- 
suit of the robber. The robber after leaving 
the house, cut cross-lots to South Livonia, then 
TO Lakeville where he ate hi.s dinner, and from 
there to Scottsville, where he was arrested by 
the men in pursuit as he was about to take the 
cars for Rochester. In the u)eantime he had 
walked twenty-eight miles in less than five 
hours, including the stop for dinner. Being 
his first offence, he was sent to Auburn prison 
for two years. 

There once dwelt in the stnithern part of 
tlie town, a niiddle aged man by the name 
of Shippy, who was always seeking after 
some hidden treasure that he claimed to have 
been revealed to liim in some dream, and the 



most of his time was spent in digging after 
these fancied treasures throughout the town. 

So it came to pass one day, there came along 
the way a Gypsy woman, claiming to have the 
power of telling fortunes, and revealing hidden 
treasures, Ac. Animated by his dreams, he 
consulted her. Said she ; " There is a certain 
lot in the south part of the town, where if you 
will go on such a night, to a particular spot, you 
will by digging to a certain depth, find a large 
pan of gold that will make you rich." 

This filled his heart with gladness, for the 
the secret was too good to be kept; and he was 
soon about revealing it to his neighbors, and 
telling them the night that he was to commence 
his work. 

His neighbors resolved to have some sport 
with him. So when the evening came, two of 
them repaired to the place — which was a piece 
of new ground covered with large spots of un- 
derbrush, — and hid in the bushes. At last 
the sound of the jtickaxe and .shovel was heard, 
which told them that he had commenced his 
work. One of tiiem now rigged the other so 
as to as to represent a ghost of enormous hightii, 
by numnting him on a pair of stilts, and wrap- 
ping him in a sheet. When all was ready they 
gave forth unearthly groans, and the one dressed 
like a ghost, parted the bushes and began to 
advance upon the treasure-seeker. This was 
too much for poor Shippy, who gazed a moment 
upon the advancing form in bewilderment, 
tlion gave a shriek, dropping his tools, rushed 
acrossed the lot towanl his home. For several 
days afterwards he related a splendid ghost 
story, until the truth w;is made known to him, 
which cured him nf searching for hidden treas- 
ures. 

The little town of Conesus was thrown into 
a state of wild excitement, in the summer of 
1847, by a report being circulated by one Jer- 



136 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



ry Hall, that he had seen a wild man running 
at large in the woods on lot No. 85, near the 
residence of John Jerome. His story ran as 
follows : — 

Jerry had some business that called him 
through these woods, which tlien consisted of a 
large tract of timber, which had a large brook 
running through the center. In passing along 
tlirough the woods, Jerry claimed to have came 
across a large man, who at the time was busily 
engaged in washing himself in the brook. His 
description of the man was that he had hands 
that reached down to the ground, a long tail 
that he would draw after him in the mud, and 
his feet was nearly two feet in length, while his 
body was covered with long black hair. This 
hoax, of which he was the inventor, spread like 
wild fire throughout the town, and everybody 
was eager to see this wild monster of the forest. 
A large number of the citizens turned cut and 
searched every nook and corner for him, but 
could get no sight of him, though they could 
trace him along in the mud by the mark of the 
foot, and on each side of it by the marks of 
the fingers as they stuck in the mud, while a 
trail fnllowed after which they immagined to be 
the mark of his tail. 

The excitement arose to such a jiitch, that 
many were afraid to be seen after dark for fear 
of meeting this terrible wild man. But, af- 
ter a short time the tables turned, and the 
real truth became known and the people were 
)-eleased from the fear of being gobbled up by 
the wild monster of the woods. 

In producing this excitement, Jerry had 
placed over his feet the toe ends of several 
pair of boots to give great length to his feet, 
and had punched his fingers into the nmd at 
his side and had drawn after him a long stick. 
In this way he had gone through the woods 
several times, and then to the brook where he 



had seen the wild man. He then went about 
the town, and reported what he had seen, and 
went with many of the citizens and showed to 
them the tracks of the " terrible monster." 

We have read of many somnambulistic feats, 
but nothing has come to our knowledge that 
equals to the walk of Carrie Esteralt in June 
of 1885, while living on the Marrowback hills, 
at the residence of Nathan Marsh. 

Carrie had bought a new hat and dress the 
day before, and like many girls at the age of 
fifteen, her mind was constantly upon them. 

One night, about midnight, as near as can be 
judged, she arose in her sleep, put the hat on 
her head and the dress over her shoulders, 
went down stairs, unlocked the door, and 
started barefooted and in her night clothes, over 
a rough and stony road, for her father's house, 
some three miles away. When she had nearly 
reached her father's house, she awoke, and see- 
ing where she was, were nearly frightened to 
death. However she went to her father's door 
and knocked and called loudly for some one to 
let her in. Her father came to the door and 
opened it, and she stood bef(jre him, with her 
hat on, and her dress over her shoulders. The 
surprise of her father may periiaps be better 
imagined than expressed, when he viewed his 
daughter in her scanty ajiparel, as she stood 
before him. 

It was '1 o'clock when she got there, and her 
feet were badly bruised by her journey over 
the stones. She had to pass two pieces of thick 
woodland, and if she had awakened (»n that 
part of the road, or at any other place besides 
in the frotit of her father's house, her fright 
would have been much greater. But after all, 
it is not the first instance that we can relate, 
where the purchase of new clothes lias caused 
a turning of the head and a weariness of the 
flesh. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



137 



BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

The following is a list of the diflferent per- 
sons engaged in business in the town of Cone- 
sus, August 1st, 1886. Where the names of 
two persons are connected by an "&," they 
belong to the same firm. 

Agricultural Dealers, 
Frank P. Shafer, John Dodge, Bennett R. 
Boyd, Floyd McNinch. 

Architects and Carpenters, 
Harvey Ripley, James Griffin, Mahlon Dar- 
ri»w, William Howitt, George Follett, Hiram 
McNinch, James McNinch. 

Attorneys at Law, 
James M. Alger, Seymour N. Thorpe. 

Blacksmiths, 
George Baker, ^John Webster, J. Jincks, 
Alex. Green. 

Billiard Room, 
John C. Coe. 

Cabinet Maker and Undertaker, 
Frederick Straub. 

Dealer in Drugs, 
Arthur A. Starks. 

Dealer in Coal, 
William P. Boyd. 

Dealer in Lumber, 
Alex. W. Green. 

Dealers in Grain, 
Lewis E. Chamberlin & Jotham Clark Jr. 

Eating Saloon, 
Frank Fox. 

Hotel Keeper, 
Davenport P. Alger. 

Harness Maker, 
William A. Miller. 

Hop Yards, 
Treseott Bros., Daniel Treseott, Dell Price. 



Land Surveyor, 
Ornaldo Morris. 

Merchants, 
Arthur A. Starks, George Snyder & Frank 
Grover, Frank Fox, Emma Scott, Brown. 

Milliners 
Kate Henderahott, Jennie Johnson, Emma 
Scott, Lillie Henry. 

Millers, 
Clark M. Herrick & Ezra W. Clark. 

Music Teachers, 
Mrs. Helen Shafer, William S. Alger. 

Ministers of the Gospel, 
Rev. Arthur M. Newton, Father Hendrick, 
Mr. Spicer, Elder Samuel Maring. 

Manufacturers of Cider, 
Bennett R. Boyd & Andrew Kuder, David 
Coleman. 

Physicians, 
J. B. Losey, L. M. Philips, J. M. McGowan. 

Printing, 
William P. Boyd. 

Post Masters, 
Arthur Starks, Conesus Center Post Office. 
Joseph H. Rowland, Conesus Post Office. 
Thomas Holmes, Mail Carrier between Cone- 
sus Center and Scottsburgh. 

Rail Road and Express Agent, 
Aaron A. Mann. 

Shoemakers, 
Thcnias Griffin, Edwin Brown. 

Telegraph Opperator, 
Aaron A. Mann. 

Wagon Makers, 
Alex, Green, John Webster. 

Weavers, 
Mrs. Caroline Rowland, Mrs. Annie Aker. 



138 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



TOWN OFFICERS. 

The following is a list of the Town Officers 
of Conesus, for the year of 1 886 : — 

Supervisor, 

Charles C. Gray. 
Town Clerk, 

L. Eugene Trescott. 
Justices of the Peace, 

William A. Miller, Edward Hitchcock, 

Romeyn W. Cole, Frank P. Shafer. 
Assessors, 

James C. McNinch, Harrison Partridge, 

Alfred Sliker. 
Town Collector, 

Andrew F. Kellenian. 
Commissioners of Highways, 

Maron F. Cole. 
Overseer of the Poor, 

Corda F. Trescott. 
Constables, 

Andrew F. Kelleman, Solomon Artlip, 

John D. Webster, Charles W. Daniels, 

Thomas Coultry. 
Game Constable, 

John D. Scott. 



Inspectors of Election, 

Scott L. McNinch, (Republican.) 
John C Holmes, " 

James S. Alger, (Democrat.) 

Commissioners of Excise, 

George W. Baker, George Cleland, Ho- 
ratio Holmes. 



Town Statistics. 

The following, was the Town Statistics for 
the year of 1885 : — 

Number of Acres of land in the Town, 
19,827 

Asessed value of the real estate in the 
Town, $739,175. 

Assesed value per. acre, $37.28. 

" " of personal estate in Town, 

$61,550. 

Total value of real and personal estate in 
the Town, $869,235. 

The amount of State Tax, $1,451.91. 

The amount or County Tax, $1,336.68. 

The amount of School Tax, $740.76. 

The amount of Returned Tax, $4.39. 

The total amount of Town Tax, $3,535.69. 

The number of Dogs in Town, 114. 

The amount of Dog Tax, $61.00. 




•QA(^/ 




CHAPTER XVIII. 



^en^HloQtcd ^istar^ of the ^awn. 



f^^^HEN I commenced preparing a His- 

?ujp|^ tory of the town of Conesus, it was 
=i^2A^^-»-j jjQ^ J^y intention then of giving a 
genealogical and historical sketch 
of the different families here. But 
having a large amount of information concern- 
ing them, and a request from some of the worthy 
citizens of the town, I at last consented tn do 
so, and have jirepared the following Chapter. 

In the preparation of the Chapter, I will say, 
it has been written from memory, and the dates 
has been gathered from the Cemeteries of the 
town, from journals kept by different persons, 
and from other sources, as a personal canvass 
would have been too much of a " tedious af- 
fair." Therefore, without doubt, there may be 
many errors in dates, names, etc., and many 
families and members of others omitted, by my 
not being better acquainted with their genea- 
logy. But what are given I consider full and 
complete enough for general purposes. 

In condensing the matter in this book, I 
have adopted the abreviation of words, by us- 
ing the letter "b." for birth ; ''m." for mar- 
riage; "d."' for death, which I trust will be 
readily understood by those that may have 
an occasion to peruse this book for refferenees. 



Genealogy op the Town. 



ADAMS. 

Philip Adams, settled several years ago on 
the sliore of the Conesus lake, in the nothern 
part of the town. He m. Augusta French, and 
had five children ; Emily, d. June 27, 1877; 

a. 8 y's ; Richard, Jennie, Jessie, and Sireno. 

AG AN. 

William Agan, was born in Ireland, in 
1824 ; came to America, in 1845, and to Co- 
nesus in 1849 or '50. He m. Catherine Walch, 
and now resides on Turkey Hill. They have 
no childern except two they adopted, named 
Mary and Joseph. The former m. Meachum. 

ALGER. 

Capt. John Alger, the progenitor of the 
Alger families of the town, was b. in 1789, 
and d. Aug. 13, 1829. Elizabeth, his wife, was 

b. 1743, and d. Feb. 25, 1831. They came 
to the town at an early day, and made it their 
home with their son, on the " Old Alger place." 
As far as I know, they had one child that was 
named Davenport, who came to this town. 



139 



uo 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



Davenport, the above son, was b. at Staf- 
ford, Vt., in 1783, and d. here Sept. 24, 1859; 
m. Mary Morrison, who was b. at Londonderry, 
N. H., in 1785, and d. here Oct. 29, 1854. 
They came here in an early day and settled 
on the farm now owned by his son James. He 
and she were large portly persons, kind and 
generous. He was the first Supervisor of the 
town, and a very influencial man, and would 
not humble himself to do a mean act. They 
had six children, as follows : 

1st, Lucinda, who d. Aug. 2, 181U; a. 2 y's. 

2nd, Jehiel, b. in 1805, and died May 24, 
1857; m. Eliz'b. Allen, and resided at the head 
of the Conesus lake. They had nine children, 
namely : Mary Jane, m. Ephraim Cole ; Dav- 
enport, m. Cassia Needham, and keeps hotel at 
Conesus Center, Their child Allie, m. George 
Snyder. William, a music teacher, now single. 
Electa, d. in 1840. George m. Laura Jerome, 
and lives on part of his father's farm ; one child, 
George. Dewitt m. 1st Mary Osborn, by 
whom he had two children ; Arcelia, d. June 
4, 1869 ; a. 5 y's, and Duane. For his 2nd wife, 
Jlnnna Brown, by whom he has two children, 
('larence and Bertie. He lives on the east side 
of the head of the Conesus Lake swamp. Duane 
d. in the army, 1862. Elizabeth m. Edwin 
Shutt, and lives in Rochester; children three, 
Erwin, Emmett and Cameron. Jehial ra. 
Emma Baylas and lives on the "old place." 
Has two children, Elmer and Arthur. 

8d, Polly, b. in 1810; m. Sylvester Morris. 

4th, John D.,b. in 1814, and d. May 4, 1883. 
He resided jn the northern part of the town on 
the place now owned by his daughters. lie m. 
1st. Dimmis Stevens, who d. March 11, 1852; 
a. 34y's, by whom he had four children grpwn 
to man and- womanhood, namely : Dewitt, m. 
Anna Tittsworth, and d. June 21 1885, leav- 
ing one child, Jennie. Ashabel, m. Louisa 



Baldwin and has one child, Minnie. Sarah and 
Laura are single. For his 2nd wife, Addie 
Morris, who d. July 20, 1868; a. 40 y's, by 
whom he had several children, now all dead 
except one, a young lady named, Addie. 

5th, Electa, m. Nathaniel Cole, and d. Jan. 
23, 1882: a. 66 y's. 

6th, James, m. Jane Stone, and lived for a 
time east of Foot,s Corners, and now on the 
" old homestead " of his fathers. Their chil- 
dren are James m. Lucy Albertson, and Kittie. 

ALLEN. 

Joseph and Winter Allen, belonged to, 
two seperato families. Joseph was b. in Penn- 
sylvania, and d. here. He m. Jennie McNinch, 
who was b. at the same place, and d. also here. 
They came here at an early day and lived at 
the head of the Conesus lake. Their family 
consisted of ten children, namely : 

1st. Matthew, m. Mary Ann Thorp, and re- 
sided for a time at the head uf the (Conesus 
lake, and now on Turkey Hill. Has three chil- 
dren as follows: America J., lii. Ezra. W . 
Clark; Mary R., ju. William P. Boyd; and 
Jennie. 

2nd, F-lizabeth, m. Jehial Alger. 

od, Sally, m. Orren Hubbard. 

4th, Mary, m. John Bryant, and now lives 
in Illinois. 

5th, William, m. Sarah Gove, and lives on 
the east side of the Iloneoye lake. She d. a 
few years ago, leaving several grown up chil- 
dren. 

6th, John, m. , and now lives west, 

where he went a few years ago. 

7th, James. 

8th, Ellen, m. Daniel McLean. Both of 
them are now dead. 

9th, Samuel, m. Sabra Blandin, and lived 
for a time on Turkey Hill. A few years ago, 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



141 



he went to Michigan, and since has died. His 
children are Josephine, Mary, Frank, Noah, 
Hector, and most of them are married. 

10th. Ann, m. Arnold Hartson, and they 
resided in Livonia, where she died a few years 
ago. Had one son name Edwin, now dead, 
who m. Eunua Buskirk, and left one child, 
named Curtis. 

The next is the family of Winter Allen, of 
whom I know hut a little about. He came 
here in 1810, and who he married, I am un- 
able to say. His family consisted of several 
children, as follows : 

1st. Gilbert, b. in Washington County, N. 
y., Jan. 7, 1815: m. 1st Angeline Allen, who 
d. in IHb'l. Their children were Electa, Mary, 
Sanford, and Jenetta. For his 2d wife, Laura 
Tallman, by whom he has one child named, 
W^inter. 

'2nd. Rosella, m. Saumel Huskirk. 

8d. Olive, m. (xeorge (Jonklin. 

4th. Stephen, m. Electa Cole. 
Jehiel and Phineu-^, brothers to Winter, I 
know not) ling of. 

ALHEKT80N. 
Jacob Albertson, came to the town of 
(Jonesus, in 1884 or '85, and bought a farm on 
Marrowback. 1 am unable to give a history 
of his family farther then he has four children, 
of whom one m. Boyd of Caledonia, N. Y.; 
Lucy, m. James Alger Jr., and two minors. 

ANNIS. 
Alansou Annis, was born in Livonia, Apr. 
U>, 1819; m. Lucina Brooks, who was b. in 
Windham, A^'t., June 8, 1827. They came to 
Conesus in 1856, and lived first on the Mar- 
rowback hills, near the Albertson place, and 
from here to Conesus Center. He has held sev- 
eral town offices, and been a influential man. 
She, as a " Christain worker," seldom ever 



had her equal in the town, and has been the 
Superintendant of the Universalist Sunday 
School for several years. They have one child 
Helen, b. June L3, 1857, who m. Frank Shafer. 

ARMSTRONG. 

Franklin Armstrong, was b. at New 
London, Ct., Aug. 29, 1793, and d. Feb. 7, 
1 883 ; m. Susen Rudd, who was born in Ire- 
land, 1817. They resided for a number of 
years, on the east side of the Head of the Lake 
swamp. This family, I know but a little 
about and can not give their pedigree. 

ARNOLD. 

Andrew Arnold, was b. Dec. 13, 1781, 
and d. March 28, 1875; m. Mariah Henderson 
who d. Oct. 27, 1837. He came to Conesus 
in an early day, and kept a store here in 1817 
or '18. After a few years, he bought the fiirm 
now owned by William Gray south of the Cen- 
ter, where he resided to within a few years 
of his death, in a log house, — now torn 
down — that stO(xl on the north-west corner 
of the road. They had five children, namely : \ 

1st. Adaline, who d. June Id, 1849- a. 
l(>y's. 

2d. Albert, who d. Feb. 12, 185(5. 

3d. William, who d. Oct. 31. 1.S28- a 
2y's. 

4th. Henry, m. Helen Bissell, and now re- 
sides at Geneseo. He now holds the position, 
as Comnn'ssioner of discharged prisoners of the 
State Prisons, of the State of New York. He 
has several children, and their names I am 
unable to give. 

5th. Emma, m. Miller, and lives in 

Chicago. 

Gardner Arrold, a nephew of Andrew, 
was b. at Randolph, Vt., Mar. 20, 1794: m. 
Sarah Coe, who was b. in Livonia, in 1812. 
He d. May 2, 1868, and she d. Nov. 13, 1881. 



142 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



He came here with his uncle in 1816, or '17, 
and with him kept a store. His last residence 
was at Conesus Center, and at the time of his 
death, bequeathed a certain sum of money to the 
Universalist Society, for a church at Conesus 
Center, and a like sum to the cemetery at th^ 
same place, that bears his name. They have 
no children. 

AUSTIN. 

Potter Aut?TiN, in the latter part of his 
life, resided at Conesus Center, where he d. 
Apr. 17, 1SS5, and also his wife Louisa, who 
was b. in 1811, and d. here, Apr. 13, 1883. 
This is all I can give of them. 

BAILEY. 

There were two families by this name once 
in the town ; yet I can not fully describe them. 
One of them lived at Conesus Center, and was 
called Job Bailey. His family consisted of 
severel children, and one of them was named 
James, who m. Eetta Swift, and has one child, 
and resides in Buffalo. The family a few years 
ago, went west. The other, is Timothy Bai- 
ley's family, that lived on the Marrowback 
hills, of which I am unable to speak of. 

BAKEK. 

There has been two families in the town that 
bore this name, and they were as follows : 

Col. Frederick Baker, was b. in 1775, 
and d. Apr. 26, 1855; m. Huldah Parker, 
who was b. in 1787, and d. Sept. 7, 1872. 
They came to the town, at an early day and 
resided at Conesus Center. Their children 
were as follows : 

1st. Sarah, who m. David Cray, and went 
west. 

2nd. Jane, m. Stephen Sherwood. 

3d. George, m. 1st. Elizabeth Gardner. 2d. 
Helen Erwin, who at the time of her death, 
eft two children, George, who m. Hattie F. 



Bennett, and Jennie, who m. Frank Grover. 
3d. Maria Dean. 

Shelby Baker, the head of the other fam- 
ily, m. Marietta Sharpe. They lived for a time 
at the residence of Andrew Kuder. He is now 
a "prosperous merchant" at South Livonia. 

BALDWIN. 

Jerry Baldwin came to this town about 
1855, and resided a few years, then went to 
Texas. Came back and m. Rachael Slate for 
his 2d wife, and moved to Mt. Morris, where 
he died a few years ago. By his 1st wife, who 
died before he came here, he had three children 
namely : 

1st. Myron, who a number of years ago, 
went to Maryland, married, and died there, 
leaving several children. 

2nd. Luman, m. Mary Komig, and now lives 
in Michigan. Has had three children. May, 
Lawrence, and a Infant that d. Feb. 28, 1870. 

3d. Lawrence, who d. (1 believe) in 1864; 
a. 20 y's. 

BARKER. 
Samuel Barker, was born in England. 
Came to this country, and to the town of Cone- 
sus some thirty years ago, and settled on the 
Marrowback hills, and resides now in the Cal- 
abogue hollow. His family consisted of sev- 
eral children, I know but little about. One of 
them, Elizabeth, m. Knights. 

BARNES. 

Heman Barnes, was a Cooper by occupa- 
tion, and came to the town, a number of years 
ago, and resided east of Union Corners, on the 
place now owned by Davis Jerome. His wife 
Cornelia, was b. 1806, and d. Apr. 18, 1874. 
They had four children, namely: 

1st. Colvin, m. 1st, Mary Erwin, who d. 
Oct. 17, 1868 ; a. 26 y's. For his 2d. wife, 
Rebecca (Gray) Fish. By his first wife, he 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



143 



had three children, whose names were Mary, 
Charlie, and Frankie, who d. June 29, 1861. 
For several years he was a merchant at Conesus 
Center. 

2nd. Sarah, m. Henry Erwin. 

8d. Emma, m. Rev. Thomas Bell, and d. 
Feb. 15, 1873. 

4th. Laura, m. Davis Jerome. 

RAYLES. 

RoBERr Bayles, was b. in 1796, and d. 
Feb. 7, 1870. He came to the town at an 
early day, and settled east cf Conesus Center, 
on the "Old Bayles place," and from here he 
moved about tlie year of lS(iO, to the place 
where he died, south of Foot's Corners. Who 
he married for his first wife, I can not say. 
His 2nd. wife, was Jane Beaty, by whom he 
had seven children, naniely : 

1st. Edwin, wbo has been married twice, 
and raised several children, yet I am not able 
t() give a history of them. 

2nd. William, wlio d. June 12, iSoO- a 25 

3d. Gustavus, who d. Aug. 1(>, 1864- a 

24y's. 

4tli. Alcemenia,m. Austin Woodruff, and d. 
Mar. 17, 1>^64: a. 26 y's. 

5th. Elvira, m. John Ingeluw. 

6th. Russell, m. Kate Howitt. 

7th. Emma, m. Jehiel Alger. 

His first wife's children, I can not give. 

BEARSS. 

Peter and Isaac Bearss, two })ruthers, 
came and settled in the northern jmrt df the 
town, many years ago. Peter was b. in 1 789, 
and d. Apr. 4, 1836 ; m. Electa Benedict, who 
was b. in 1799, and d. Feb. 16, 1865. They 
had four children, namely: 

1st. Caroline, who d. Oct. 6, 1845: a. 
20 y's. 



2nd. Cordon, who d. May 18, 1845; a. 
21 y's. 

3d. Lucinda, m. Allen McNinch. 

4th. Elias, m. Jane Hopkins, and d. Mar. 
6, 1885. Hi? family consisted of six children 
namely; Millard, m. Minnie Bowan, and has 
two children, George and Walter. Flora, 
Cora, Lettie, Anna, and Delia. 

The brother Isaac was b. Aug. 3, 1878; m. 
Sally Benedict, who was b. in 1807, and d. in 
1 875. They were early settlers here, and lived 
on the place now owned by Albert Jerome, up 
to the time of their death. Their children 
were as follows : 

1st. Jane, m. David Wilkison. 

2nd. Electa, m. Norman Gould. 

3d. Sarah, m. Freman Lindsley. 

4th. John, m. and lives West. 

oth. Alvin, m. Ella Jordon and lives on 
Turkey Hill. Has two children, John and 
Lena. 

6th. Mary, m. William Barnhart. 

7th. Benjamin, who d. Apr. 24, lS(i8- a 
36 y's. 

8th. Willard, m. Emma (Buskirk) llartsoii, 
and d. Mar. 19, 1881 : a. 44 y's. 

9th. .Martha, who d. Nov. 29, 1863- a 
15 y's. 

loth. Melville, who d. Jan. 15, ls41 • a 
2 y's. 

11th. Eliza, who d. Jan IS, 1,^41 ; a. <; y'^.^ 

Rebecca, a sister of Isaac and Peter Bearss 
was b. Feb. 4, 1813, and d. Dec. 9, 1874: m. 

Bellknap and had one ( liild, P^dwin, who 

d. Aug 7, 1840; a. 4 y's. 

BELL. 

Joseph Bell, was born in 1791. His wife 

was Almira — . They lived in the house 

now owned by C. M. Herrick, at Conesus Cen- 
ter. He owned the Millright shop that stood 



144 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



uorth of the grist-mill, which was swept away 
by the flood, on the night of Oct. 20, 1835, in 
which he lost his life. As far as I know, he 
had one child, Betsy, who d. Feb. 1, 1836. 

BENEDICT. 

Benjamin Benedick, was b. in 1778; m. 
Elizabeth Couch, who was b. in 1778. He 
d. Mar. 22, 1868, and she d. Aug. 3, 1857. 
They were one of the early settlers here, and 
lived where Albert Jerome now resides. Their 
children were, 

1st. Hannah, who d. Mar. 9, 1862 : a. 59 y's. 

2nd. Sally, ni. Isaac Bearss. 

3d. Betsy, m. Israel Johnson. 

4th. Lucinda, ni. Stephen Yeomans. 

5th. Electa, ni, Peter Bearss. 

6th. Louis, ui. Thomas Pierce. 

7th. Unice, m. Willard Alton. 

Sth. Elizabeth, ni. 1st, George Henry. 2d. 
Ijisuph Sanford. 

BONNAK. 

James Bonnak lived on the (Jalabogue 

road, south of Conesus l^enter, where he died. 

They had far as I knew three children, Sarah, 

Elizabeth, and Anna. They have left the town. 

BOYD. 
Philip Boyu, the progenitor of this family 
in the town, was b. at New Bedf(n-d, West- 
chester Co., N. Y., May 24, 1771 ; m. Eliza- 
beth Barrett, who was b. at the same place, 
Apr. 6, 1773. He and she d. here May 31, 
1823, and Aug. 30, 1836, respectively. He 
was a Captain in the war of 1812, at New- 
burgh, and came to the town with his family, 
Apr. 6, 1821, and settled on the place now 
owned by his son Hiram. Their family con- 
sisted of ten children, and all died before 
coming to the town, except the following three, 
namely : 



1st. Justus, who was b. June 16, 1796. He 
lost his life, June 16, 1838, by the burning of 
the Steamboat, " George Washington,'' on 
Lake Erie, while assisting to save some thirty 
or forty children abandoned by their parents 
on the burning boat. After he had succeeded 
in placing them safely on a raft, he being a 
good swimmer, entered the water and being in 
a heated state, and after swimming nearly two 
miles, was picked up by a boat and taken to 
the shore, where he died less than two hours 
in an Apoplectic fit, caused by over-exertion. 
He m. Almira Nutt, who was b. Sept. 1 9, 1799. 
She now resides at Howell, Mich. They came 
to the town with his father's family in 1821, 
and lived in a log house that stood west of the 
residence of Matthew Allen, then to Mt. Mor- 
ris, and from there to Howell, Mich. Their 
children are, 1st. Lewis, m. Charity Cook, who 
d. in January of 1884; a. 57 y's. Has two 
children, Justus, m. Janet Bates, (daughter of 
Ex-Governor Bates of Michigan), and l<ist his 
life in the great flood of California, in 1885, 
and Jerred, m. Harriet Newman. 2d. John, 
m. Lucinda HoUoway. 3d. Hannah, who d. 
Mar. 9, 1872; a. 49 y's. 4th. Norman, m. 
Rhoda Scofield. 5th. Henry, m. Matilda Cur- 
tis ; children two, Bartrcm and Kate. 6th. 
Elizabeth, m. Rev. Lyman Dean. 7tli. Henr}', 
m. Elizabeth Briggs. 8th. Angeline, single. 
9th. William, who d. Aug. 17, 1839. They 
all live near Howell, Mich., where they went 
in 1835. 

2nd. Hiram, was b. at Nevvburgh, N. Y. 
Dec. 18, 1806; m. Jane McNinch, who was 
b. at Richmond, Ontario Co., N. Y., Aug. 25, 
1808, and d. Apr. 18, 1883. He came to the 
town in 1821 with his father's family, and has 
always resided on the place he now lives on. 
Their family consisted of three children name- 
ly :— 1st. Elizabeth, who d. Feb. 12, 1840 ; 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



145 



a. 3 y's. 2nd. Bennett R. who was b. Feb. 
24, 1841 ; m. Elizabeth Jerome, who was b. 
Nov. 30, 184(i. They have one child, Mary. 
3d. William P., who was b. Mar. -26, 1849 ; 
m. Mary R. Allen, who was b. June 22, 1850. 
They have one child named Victor. 

3d. Aimer, who d. Oct. 17, 1838: a. 29 y's. 

BROWN. 

William Brown, was an Englishman by 
birth. He lived in what is the " tenant house" 
of Timothy Degraw, where Anna his wife died 
January 3, 18(54; a. 47 y's. They had live 
children namely: 1st. Ann, m. Ed. Pickard. 
2nd. Emma, m. Dewitt Alger. 3d. Elizabeth 
whom married, I am unable t(j say. 4th. Mary, 
m. William \Vliite. otii. William, who went 
West. 

The next family by this name, lived at Foot's 
(Corners for ;) short time. The}- dad five chil- 
dren, whose names were George, Nelson, Ed- 
ward, and two girls whose names I can not give. 

The next family is that of Edwin Brown of 
Conesus Center, who is a shoe-maker by trade. 
He m. Sarah Kuder, \ and has two children, 
named George and Viola. 

BREEN. 

Joseph Breen lived for a time in the "ten- 
ant house" of .James Alger, and from here to 
that of Timothy Degraw at Union Corners. 
He was a married man and had a sister named 
Kate, who m. Joseph Orr. 

BRUNSON. 

Edwin Brunson lived east of Conesus Cen- 
ter. His wife's name was Mary, and she d. 
May 17, 1875; a. 53 y's. They had several 
children, and among them Mary, who m. Ted. 
Wright. 

BULL. 
Bull, lived for a time on the Al- 



bertson's place on Marrowback. He has left 
town, and I knew no more of his family. 

BURCH. 

Peter Burch, came to the town about the 
year of 1843. He m. Sybil (Durkee) Cross, 
and d. at Brushville, N. Y. She d. Feb. 6, 
1882. They had one child, Alda, who d. 
Mar. 20, 1874; a. 29 y's. 

BUSKIRK. 

John Buskirk, was b. in 1774, and d. 

Mar. 8, 1851 : m. Anna , who was b. in 

1779, and d. June 2, 1852. Who their chil- 
are, or if they had any, I can not say. 

Isaac Buskirk, was better known as " Curly 
Ike," d. in 1876. He m. Hannah Backus. 
who was b. in 1807, and d. June 13, 1852. 
They lived in the South part of the town, and 
had five children namely : 

1st. Emeline, m. Phineas Shafer. 

2nd. Lucy, m. Laben Shurd. 

3d. Harriet, m. William Rus.sell. 

4th. Ania, m. 1st. Edwin Hartsnn ; 2d. 
Willard Bearss ; 3d. Levi Tully. 

5th. Harrison, killed at the battle of Wil- 
liamsburgh, Va., May 5, 1863. 

Isaac Buskirk, called "Big Foot Ike," 
wash, in 1812, and d. A]iril 2, 1878; m. 
Sally Ann DickLson, who d. Nov. 26,1863. 
They also' lived in the south part of the town, 
and had six children namely. 

1st. Mary, m Andrew Conklin. 

2nd. Phoebe, m. Philis Turner. 

3d. .Jane, m. Floyd McNinch. 

4th. Irene, m. Wallace Coleman. 

5th. Charles, m. Mary Dufi". 

dth. Farley, d. Mar. 31, 1861. 

BUMP. 
Daniel Bump, was b. in 1796, and d. Alar. 
22, 1 840 ; m. Lorenia Parker, whose birth and 



146 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



'leath, I have not. He built and owned for a 
time the hotel at Conesus Center, that was de- 
stroyed by fire in I 872. They had three chil- 
dren, namely : 

Ist. Benouia, b. in 1819, and d. Dec. 7, 
1870; m. Sarah Swift, who was b. in 1822, 
and d. Sept. 19, 1870. For a number of years 
he was a Baggageman on the Erie Rail Road. 
Had three children, whose names were, Oscar, 
married and lias one child. Dora m. Ira Foot, 
and Gertrude, now single. 

2nd. Alfred, who d. Mar. 20, 1837; a. 9y's. 

3d. Fanny, m. William Pierce, and lives at 
Honeoye Flats and has children. 

CAMPBELL. 

Samuel Campbell, was b. in 181H, and d. 
June 14, 1868; m. Samantha Clemons, who 
still resides on their " <ild ])hi(;e," in the south 
part of the town. They had three children, 
namely : 

1st. Jonas, m. 1st. Aiig<'liiie Taylor. 2n(l. 
Mary Vrettenburg, by whom he had four chil- 
dren, who.se names are Viniia, Klizabcth, Ma- 
tilda, and a boy, whoes name 1 do not know. 

2nd. Benjamin, m. Ellen Allen. 

3d. Mary, m. Daniel Hoes, and d. Jan. 0, 
1870; a. 33 y's. 

Tompkins (\\MPBELL, was born in 1S17, 
and d. Dec. 1, 1882; m. 1st. Matilda Wright. 

2nd. by whom he had one 

child, George ; and by the 1st. wife three cliil- 
dren, whose names are iVdaline, who m. Jacob 
Collar, and Elvira and Mary. He lived for 
many years in the Calabogue hollow. 

CARROLL. 

Ellis and Lewis Carroll, were two 
brothers, and both lived for a time on the Car- 
roll farm on Turkey Hill. Ellis was burned^ 
out here in 1857, and then moved to Foot's 
Corners, where Jane, (his wife) died Jan. 4, 



1862; a. 51 y's. His family consisted of chil- 
dren three as follows : 

1st. Oscar, who d. Oct. 17,1858; a. 23 y's. 

2nd. Lester, who d. Apr. 21, 1861; a. 22 y's. 

3d. Eliza, single. 

The other brother Lewis, m. Jane Owen, 
andd. Jan. 2, 1885; she d. Jan. 7, 1875. 
They came to the town, about 1863. They 
had seven children, namely : 

1st. Ann, )n. Even Thomas. 

2nd. Mary, m. Lowery. 

3d. Charles, m. and lives West. 

Jane, i^ester, Fanny, and Lewis are single. 

James, a nephew of the above, lived for a 
time at Foot's Corners. He m. Mary Foot, 
and d. Apr. 30, 1867; a. 30 y's. 

CHAPIN. 

There have been two families by this name in 
the town, as follows : 

dosHLiN, m. Lucy Hart, who d. in 188-. 
They lived for a number of years south of Ol- 
iver Hill, on the place now owned by Franklin 
Foot. Among their children were the fol- 
lowing, namely : • 

1st. Lucy, m. Cyrus Trescott. 

2nd. Henry. Married and d. in Micliigan. 

3d. Bert., m. Barber. 

4th. Elmer, m. and lives West. 

oth. Elizabeth, m. Parker. 

Jonathan, the head of the other family, 
lived at Conesus (Jenter. He m. Ann Fellows 
and d. May 21, 1875; she Aug, 18, 1886. 
They had five children namely : 

1st. Orville, m. Lucretia Woodrufi', and lives 
east of Conesus Center. They have two chil- 
dren, Velma, who m. Woodruff, and lives in 
Rush, N. Y., and Verna. 

2d. Oscar, m. Carrie Kuder, and lives at 
Conesus Center. Children two, Read and 
Virgia. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



147 



3d. Walter, in. Lieuy Collar, and they live 
at Buifalo. Children two. May, who d. in 
1 88-2, and Bertie. 

4th. Maria, ni. Gilbert Lewis. 

r>th. ni. Duane Woodruff. 

CLARK. 

There has been several families by the name 
of Clark in town, unconnected with each other, 
as follows: — 

Harry and Thomas Clark, were brothers. 
Harry lived for a time on the place now owned 
by E. W. Clark, and occupied by Matthew 
Allen. His family I know nothing of. His 
brother Thomas, lived for a time where Jotham 
(^lark Jr. now resides. The two brothers were 
early settlers, and had large families of children, 
which has grown up and left tlie town. The 
Tiext are two nephews of the above, who were 
brothers, and named Jotham and Peter (JIark. 

JttTHAM, was b. in Milton, Saratoga (^o., 
X. Y., March 8, ITSU: m. Mary Ann Adams, 
who was b. in Vermont, Aug. li'i, 1794: d. 
May 10, 1881. They came to the town in 
1817, and settled on Turkey Hill, where they 
have since resided. Tlieir family consisted of 
nine children, namely : 

1st. Harriet, m. Purchase Baker, and d. 
Dec. 4, 1844; a. 26 y's. Had one son named 
(.Mark, who m. Ennna Compton, and has chil- 
dren, 

2nd. Ozro, m. Mary Thompson, and lives at 
Mt. Morris, and has children. 

M. Wealthy, d. Apr. 80, 1846; a. 26 y's. 

4th. Ezra, m. America J. Allen. He lived 
for a time on the shore of Conesus Lake, and 
in 1 878, he moved on the place he now resides 
on. He has been Supervisor of the Town for 
several terms. His children are J. Adams, 
Grace, and Matilda. 

5th. J. Adams, d. July 28, 1858; a.32 y's. 



6th. Mary Ann, m. William Gray. 

7th. Dewitt, m. 1st Mary Babcock, by whom 
he had two children; Frank, who d. in 1886, 
and Mary, who m. Thwing, 2d. wife, Nancy 
Smith, by whom he has one child, Dewitt; 
he d, in 1882, and resided at Eau Claire, Wis., 
where he went a number of years ago. 

Sth. Jotham, m. 1st. Celia Hart who d, 
Sept. 7, 1868; a 29 y's. She left one child, 
named Alice. His 2d. wife was Elizabeth 
Hart, a sister of his first, by whom he has one 
child named Edith. He has held the office 
of Supervisor for several terms. 

9th. Matilda, now single. 

Peter, the brother, wash. 1796, and d. 

Aug. 16, 1858; m. Roxcey , who was 

b. in 1798, and d. June 9, 1877. They came 
liere about fifty years ago, and resided where 
their son Edward now lives. They had oiglit 
children, namely : 

1st. Samuel, who d. Aj.r. 20, lS46 : a. 24 y's. 

2)k1. Mary, who d. Nov. 27, 1 844; a. 27 y's. 

;Jd. Zelia, who d. May 20, l!<44 : a. 24 y's. 

4tli. Arad, wbo d. Aug; 5, 1830. 

."ith. Ichabode : who he m., I am unable to 
say. He lived for a time on the "old home- 
stead," and then to Portage, where he died 
leaving two children. 

6th. Elias, is a Pliysician in Rochester, yet 
I can not describe his family. 

7th. Clarisa, single. 

8th. Edward, m. Aurelia Durbon who d. 
June 27, 1883. He owns tlie jilacc that was 
his fatliers, and has three children named Ed- 
die, Frank, and Judson. 

Lewis Clark, was the progenitor of another 
differant family from the above Chirks. He 
was b. in Westfield, N. J., Dec. 22, 179S, and 

d. Dee. 28, 1874. He m. Sarah , who 

was b. at Springfield, N. J., Sep. 13, 1799, 
and d. Mar. 15, 1877. They came here at an 



148 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



early day, and settled at Uniou Corners, and 
kept a Hotel. He was better known as " Col- 
onel Crocket," a nick-name given by himself. 
His family consisted of four children namely; 

1st. Mary, m. John Magee. 

•ind. Phoebe, m. Jerome Henry. 

;id. Sarah, who d. Feb. 24, 1881. 

4th. Adaline, m. L. Snyder. 

5th. A son, but I can not give his name. 

Lewis had a sister nauied Charity, who lived 
with him. She was a single lady, and d. July 
16, 1868, a. 82y's. 

Daniel Clark, progenitur of another fam- 
ily of Clarks, was b. in Vermont, May 2, 1810, 
and d. Mar. 17, 1886. He m. 1st. Lovina 
Lyuians, who was b. July l;^>, 1814, and d. 
Nov. 22, 1876; 2d. Elvira Gordon, b. in 
1858. He came to (]onesus in 1882, and 
opened a Harness shop. His residence were 
east of Conesus (Center. His children were by 
his first wife as follows : 

1st. Charles, who d. Apr. 1 6, 1 85!) ; a. 24 y's. 

2nd. Edwin, who d. in Oct. of 1857. 

,3d. Mary, m. Wilder, and d. Nov. 

11,1866; a. 24 y's. He was killed on the 
railroad. 

4th. George, m. Cordelia Hendershott, and 
lives on Marrowback. 

5th. Frank, single. 

William Clark, lives at Conesus Center. 
His 1st. wife's name was ('iirneatha, and she 
d. Noy. 2, 1879, leaving three children whose 
name are Samuel, Moses and a girl whose name 
I have not. For his 2d. wife, Helen Hopkins. 

Horace Clark, was an early settler in the 
tdwn, and lived for a time on Marrowback. 
I find in the Cemetery at Conesus Center, the 
following : " Horace Clark, d. Aug. 1 9, 1 861 ; 
a. 40 y's. His wife's name was Sophronia, and 
they had a son who d. Mar. 5, 1850." This 
is all I know of the family. 



CLELAND. 

George Cleland, came to the town a few 
years ago, and now lives at Conesus Center. 
He m. Jennie Mitchel, and has one child. 

CLEMONS. 

Of the demons family, there were two broth- 
ers who came here about fifty years ago and 
settled in the south part of the town as follows: 

Agustus Clemons, m. Polly Mastin, of 
whom I know but a little. Their children are 
Tilla, who m. Sarah Webster; .Jackson m. 
Mary Webster : Sally A, m. Elishua Webster ; 
Samantha, m. Samuel Campbell, and Lester. 

Ulisis, the brother was b. in 1803, and d. 
Sept. 10, 1865; m. 1st Content Terry, who 
was b. in 1808, and d. Dec. 23, 1859. 2nd. 
Rachael Ann McNinch. His first wifes, cliildren 
were Horace, Marvin, Stephen, George, Clark 
and Diane, and all are married except the last 
one. By his second wife, Fayette and Hattie, 
who live with the mother on the "old place." 

COE. 

Of the Coe families in the town, there wore 
two brothers belonging to one family, and 
a coTJsin to them from another, as follows : 

George Coe, lived upon a farm one-half 
mile north of Union Corners. He was b. in the 
town of Livonia in 1816, and was found dead 
beside the railroad track, Nov. 9, 1880; m. 
Ist, Eoxey Howe, who died soon after their 
marriage. 2nd. Alta Stune. He was a kind 
and an influential man of the town, having held 
the office of Supervisor for several terms. His 
children were by the second wife, as follows: 

1st. Anna, m. John Webster. 

2nd. John, m. Dell Hann and lives on the 
" old homestead." 

3d. Flavins, m. Hattie Hann and lives West. 

Dixon, a brother to the above, m. .Jane 
Jerome. He lives at Conesus Center, where 




'^^c//', 




THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



149 



he went some thirty or forty years ago. He, 
like his brother, is a prominent man, and has 
.held the Office of Supervisor for several terms. 
They have had five children, namely : 

1st. Ella, ni. Rev. Sage, and d. Nov. 15, 
1S83 : a. 84 y's. 

•ind. Frank, m. Luna Quick, and lives at 
( 'Onesus Center. Has one or two children. 

3d. Jennie, single and a Teacher in the Nor- 
mal School, at Geneseo. 

4th. Kittle, killed Aug. o, 1S()8; a. 5 y's. 

5th. Allie, m. Frank Smith. 

Henry Coe, was a cousin to the above. He 
m. Maria Wheeler and d. Jan. 22, 1880: she 
d. Mar. 31, 1881. \\ hen they came to the 
town, they lived on the rdad near Orren Hul)- 
bard, and a few years before their ■leath, moved 
to the place now owned by Ezra (jrray. He was 
a prominent towns-man. 'I'hey had three chil- 
dren namely : 

1st. Frederick, m. Ella (^llelllan, and lives 
in Buffalo, N. Y. 

'2nd. Kittle, m. Scott McNinch. 

3d. Dell, single. 

COLE. 

Nathaniel Cole was one of the tirst set- 
tlers of the town, coming here March 23, 1815. 
He was b. July 4, 177t1, and d. Oct. 21 ,1868; 

m. Susan who was b, in 1785, and d. 

Sept. 29, 1849. They had six children as 
follows : 

1st. Rufus, who d. Mar. 15, 1853; a. 37 y's. 

2nd. Allen, who d. Oct. 13, 1859; a. 37 y's. 

3d. Nathaniel, who was b. in 1821, and d. 
Apr. 14, 1872, m. Electa Alger, who was b. 
in 1816, and d. Jan. 23, 1882. Their home 
were west of Foot's Corners, now owned by their 
son Romeyne. Their children are Eugene 
who m. Elizabeth Macomber, and has two chil- 
dren, named Scott and George. They live 



east of Foot's Corners. Romeyne, m. Dimmis 
McNinch. 

4th. Willard, who m. Hannah Hubbard. 
They resided for a time in a hotel at the head 
of Conesus lake, and moved from there to the 
Marrowback hills, where they now reside. 
Their children are Fulton who d. in 1864; a. 
10 y's., Carrie who m. Mahlan Darrow, Eliza- 
beth who m. Cecil Foot, James, Leroy and 
Rose. 

5th. Franklin, m. Ethleuine Barnes and lived 
on the east side of the Head of the Lake swamp. 
Here he d. May 16, 1884, Children two; 
Maron, who m. Estella Gilbert, and Harlem, 
who d. Mar. 6, 1852. 

6th. Ransom, who lived for a time on Maple 
Beach. Who he married, I am unable to say. 
Among his children, were Electa, m. Stephen 
Allen, Emma, m. William Dunn, Carrie m. 
<jeorge Leonard, and James. 

Wakeman and Try Cole were brothers. 

Try m. Carnes and lived for a time in the 

hotel at the head of the Conesus lake, and now 
on the east shore of the same. His child Jen- 
nie m. James Green. Wakeman, the brother 
m. Clarie Jewell and lived at Union ('orners, 
where he d. Sept. 14, 1877. 

Ephraim Cole of another tainily, m. Mary 
Jane Alger, and lived east of Foot's Corners, 
where he d. Dee. 4, 1882. They had one child 
named Edward, who m. Louise Hayward and 
has three children, whose names are Lewis, 
Ashley and Ernest. 

COLEMAN. 

There were three brothers of tliis family that 
came here about forty-five years ago to live, 
whose names are as follows : 

David, who lives south of Conesus Center, 
was b. in the State of New Jersey, Dec. 1 5, 
1812 : m. Elsie Gray, who was b. in the same 



150 



THE HISTOKY OF CONESUS. 



State, Apr. 26, 1816. He came to the town 
in 1829, and lias held the office of Overseer 
of the Poor for over thirty years. They had 
twelve children as follows : 

1st. Mary J., d. in 1S84. 2nd. Elizabeth. 
3d. Marilda, ni. King. 4th. Harrison, m. Me- 
nerva Thomas and lives', in Michigan. 5th. 
Jessie. 6th. Mary J., m. Henry Smith, and 
d. Sept. U, 1880. 7th. Welthy, m. Joseph 
Harvey. 8th. Delight A., d. June 10, 1851. 
0th. Adel, d. in 1858. 10th. David M. 11th. 
Elsie L. m. . 12th. Lewis P. 

Alfred, one of the brothers, m. Emeline 
iJray, and d. Feb. 15, 1882. He lived for a 
time at the Conesus Depot, where he kept an 
eating sahnm. Their children are, Azel, m, 
Emeline West, Emma m. Augustus Wright, 
and Ella who m. Frederick Coe. 

ArohibatJ), the other brother, ni. Jane 
Sweetland, and lived in the south part of the 
town, where he d. Dec. 6, 1876. Their chil- 
dren are 1st. Julia. 2nd. Mary, who m. Henry 
Mitchell, and lives at Scottsburgh. ;-5d. Kate, 
111. John (jrray. 4tli. Johannah. m. Seymour 
Babcock. 5th. Lyilia, m. Daniel Blank. 6th. 
Bichard, m. Susan Young, and has one child 
named Solomon. 7th. Wallace, m. Arenia Bus- 
kirk, who d. Apr. 20, 1SS5. 

COLDER. 

The progenitor of this family, was Jessie 
(yoller, who came here with his sons in the 
Spring of 1796 and settled on lot No 99. As 
far as I know of his family, he had two sons as 
follows : 

1st. Jacob, who was b. in New Jersey, Feb. 
25, 1770, and d. in 1865. 1 can not tell any 
more about his family. 

2nd. Joseph, was b. in 1795, and d. Sept. 
2, 1 877 ; m. Luchasy Millen, who was b. in 
1806, and d. Apr. 30, 1823. They settled at 



the head of the Conesus lake. Children, one 
whose name is Alanson, who was b. in 1824, 
and m. Ama Barber, who was b. in 1826. 
They moved on the place the now live on,' in 
1852, and had two children namely: 1st. 
Frank, who m. Nancy Boyd, and d. in 1884, 
leaving two children ; Fred, and Betsy. 2nd. 
Lieuy, who m. Walter Chapin. 

COMPTON. 

Of the family of Compton, there were two 
brothers, Jerome and Samuel. 

J EROME lived for several years in a log house 
that stood across the way from the residence of 
Charles Gifford, and from here he went West. 
Among his children, were Jerome, Henry and 
Emma. 

Samuel the other brother, lived on Mar- 
rowback, and was a, Cooper by trade. He lost 
his life in a threshing-machine, Sept. 25, 1 885. 
He had four children, whose names are, Al- 
bert who m. Cora Swartout, Emma who m. 
James Sliker, Charles, and a daughter that died 
young. 

CONLON. 

Barney Conlon was b. in Ireland: m. 

Coon. They lived for a time on the lands 

of Hiram Boyd, west of the Conesus Post Office, 
and then in a house that stood upon the rail- 
road, near the residence of John Jerome. He 
d. a number of years ago, leaving seven chil- 
dren as follows : 

1st. Ann, m. John Hogan, and is now dead. 

2nd. James, in. Maggie Burnes and lives at 
Conesus Center. His children are Thomas, 
Mary, William, Charlie, Louisa, (jJeorge, and 
Maggie. 

3d. Ellen, lu. Ryan. 

4th. Michasl, m. Ellen Ryan. 

5tli., 6th., and 7th., is John and Burnard, 
in. and lives in Chicago, and Edward now dead. 



THE HISTOKY OF CONESUS. 



151 



(^ONROY, 

E J (WARD CONROY, m. 



Henry, and 

lived where William Agan now resides on Tur- 
key Hill, He and family went west about the 
year 1860, and I have lost track of them. 

COULTRY. 

Thomas Coultry was b. in Dansville in 
1 8o9 ; m. Cherrie Welch, and came to the 
town in 1880. Has one child, named (Irace. 

CONVERSS. 

(7ONVERSS, cauje to the town several 

years ago, and owned the farm of Jacob 
Albertson on Marrowback. He soon sold it, 
and left the town, being tlie last I knew of bin). 

CRAMER. 
Henry Cramer came to the town, several 
years ago, and m. Mrs. Maliiida Finigan, and 
lives south of the (Carroll ))laee. Has one cliild 
and her name is Luna. 

(^RF.GO. 

There came two brothers to the town by this 
name several years ago, as follows : 

Miles, m. 1st. Anna Scott, who d. Apr. 29, 
1853; a. 28 y's. 2nd. wife, Hannah Gray, 
who is also dead. He lived on the place now 
(iwned by Granger Griswold. Children by the 
first wife were Mary, Martha, and John, now 
dead, and Henry, who is m. and lives at Cas- 
tile, N. Y. 2nd. wife's children, were Eiifield 
and Edna, now dead. 

Lester, m. Pllizabetli Scott, who d. June 
18,1844. a. 81 y's. He lived where John 
Jerome now resides, and left the town soon af- 
ter his wife's death. His children were Fran- 
cis, Elizabeth, and Harriet, now dead. 

CROSS. 
William Cross, m. Sybel Durkee, and is 
buried at Brushville, X. Y, They had four 
children ; Isaac and Tyler, m. and lives West, 



Caroline, m. Joseph Rowland, and Sarah, who 

m. 1st. Chamberlin, and 2nd, Frank 

Rowland, and lives at South Livonia. 

DANIELS. 

There has been two different families by this 
name in the town, as follows : 

Garrett, was b. in 1808 ; m. Lucinda 
Thorpe, who was b. in 1811. They d. Feb. 
10, and 1 3, 1876, respectively. She was born 
in Conesus, and he came here at an early day, 
and their home were on the 3Iarrowback hills. 
They had ten children, namely. 

1st. Seymour, m. Mary Ann Moot, and lives 
on Marrowback. 

2nd. John, m. 1st. Martha Granger, by 
whom he had three children as follows : Edgar, 
who ui. Sarah Sharpsteen and has one child 
named Bertha, Ella who now dead, and Nettie. 
His 2nd. wife, Betsy Taylor. 

3d. Eunice, ni. George Cole, and is now dead. 

4th. Charles, m. Julia Small, and live on the 
"Old Homestead." Has one child. Burl. 

oth. Elizabeth, m. Yates, and is now 

dead. One child, named Mary. 

nth. Electa, m, Henry Granger, and lives 
at Warsaw, N. Y. 

7th. Abial, d. Apr. 28, 1872; a. 27 y's. 

iSth. Charlotte, m. Solomon Artlip, and lives 
at Webster's Crossing. 

•Jtli. Kate, 111. Peter Redick, and lives at 
Jordan, N. Y. 

Kith. Frederick, filngje. 

Ai,HEKT Daniels, came to the town about 
the year of 1870, and lives on the Marrowback 
hills. Has one child, named Clara. 

DART. 

James Dahi" came to the town in 1 85-, 
and lived at Conesus Center, and kept a store in 
the building that A. Stark now occujiies. He 
is now dead, and also his wife, who d. Feb. 



152 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



15, 1868. Their children were Isora, m. 

, Frank single, Lafayette m. and lives 

in Pennsylvania. 

DARROW. 
Mahlon Darrow came to the town a few 
years ago, and lives at Conesus Center, and is 
Carpenter by trade. He m. Clara Cole, and 
has children. 

DEAN. 

Nathaniel Dean was b. in 1792, and d. 
July 18, 1856; m. Phoebe Clark who was b. 
in 1795, and d. Sej.t. 14, 1876. They lived 
at Union Corners, and had nine children, 
namely : 

1st. Emeline, ni. Seymour Thorpe. 

•2nd. (jatherine, ni. Andrew Kellenian. 

8d. Sarah, ni.Aanni Koss. 

4th. Mary, ni. Hill. 

5th. George, d. .Jan. 18, 1858; a. 19 y's. 

6th. Oliver, in. .Jane Wivel. Roth dea<l. 

7th. Theodore, 1 knciw nothing about. 

8th. Maria, ni. (ieorge Baker. 

10. Mortimer, m. and now d.; left fliildren. 

DEGRAW. 

<Jf this family, there were two brothers that 
lived in the town, whose names were Tim<irhy 
and Aaron. 

Timothy was b. in 1796, and d. May 8, 
1 866 ; m. Marinda Waite, who was b. in 1 799, 
andd. Apr. 28, 1873. Timothy lived for a 
time where Albert Hunt now resides, and was 
an influential man and a large land owner in the 
town. They had six children, namely : 

1st. Timothy, b. Nov. 15, 1883: m. Sarah 
3Ioore, who was b. Mar. 11. 1840. He is a 
farmer and lives at Union Corners, and has two 
children, Minnie and Verne. 

2nd. Aaron, d. Nov. 27, 1863: a. 46 y's. 

3d. Esther, m. Robert Thomas and d. Jan, 



6, 1853; a. 28 y's. 

4th. Electa, m. William Magee, and d. Octi 
18, 1878; a. 45 y's. 

5th. Cornelia, m. Esek Wheaton, and is 
now dead. 

6th. Sarah, m. Hanna. 

Aaron, m. and lived for a time on 

the east side of the Head of the Lake swamp, 

and then he moved to Conesus Center, where 

he d. Sept. 28, 1881, leaving one child, Marilda. 

DENNISON. 

The family of Dennison, I am not able to 
trace. The progenitor of the family in the 
town, was David, who was b. in 1772, and d. 
May 14, 1854. His children were James, who 
m. Jane McNinch; Nathaniel, whom. Welthy 
Fosdie : Polly who m. Hesther Allen ; Hannah 
m. Luke Davis; Amanda, who m. Job Railey : 
Daniel m. Pattie McNinch; l>avid, Rhoda. 
DODGE. 

John Dolge came to the town of Conesus, 
about the year of 1870, and started a Hard- 
ware store at Conesus Center, where he still 
continues the business. He m. Chiches- 
ter, and has no children. 

DOUD. 

LulIUS Doud, m. Deal Hewitt and lived at 
Conesus Center. Died in the army in 1863, 
leaving two children, namely : 

1st. Nora, m. William Miller. 

2nd. Frank, now single. 
DUEL. 

I find buried in the Cemetery at Conesus 
Center, the remains of three persons of this 
name, that once lived in the Calabogue hollow, 
as follows: Martha Duel, b. in 1747, and d. 
June 13, 1833. Johnathan Duel, b. in 1777, 
and d. in 1847, and Eunice his wife who was 
b. in 1778, and d. Apr. 13, 1857. This is all 
I can give of that family. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



153 



DUNN. 
WlLLiAiM Dunn was b. in Ireland and came 
to thiri country about 1 85-. He m. Ist. Ann 
Fogerty, and lived for a time east of the Cone- 
sus depot, and then they moved to where he 
now resides, where she soon afterwards died, 
leaving four children, whose names were as 
follows : William, now dead ; Mary who is in 
Rochester : James and John, the latter is mar- 
ried. His 'id. wife, was a Mrs. Kusick. 

DURKEK. 

George Durkee was b. in Washington (!(>. 
X. Y. ; m. Mary Webster, who was also b. 
there. They came here at an early day and 
settled in the Calabogue hollow, near the late 
residence of T. D. Campbell, then tp (^onesus 
Center, and from here to where Jacob Wester 
now lives, and then went to ]);insville. They 
had ten children, Tiamely : 

1st. Mary J., m. Kennedy. 

•2nd. Harriet, died young. 

8d. Charlotte, m. Samuel Redmond. 

4th. Almira, m. George Frard<s. 

5th. Sophena, m. Anderson. 

6th. F.lla, who died young. 

7th. Lafayette, died in the army. 

8th. Malilon and John, m. and lives West. 

10th. Washington, m. Harriet Payne, and 
lives east of Union Corners. Tlieir children 
names are Alice, Seward, John, Lenna, Hat- 
tie, ArUngton, Charles, Dasey, Frank, and 
Willard. 

ERWIN. 

Henry Erwin lived for several years in 
the hnuse now occupied by Clark Herrick, and 
was a Miller by occupation tending at the time 
the mill for Robert Bayles. He m. Sarah 
Barnes, and now lives at Mount Morris, N. Y. 
Their children, were as follows : Sarah, d. 
Dec. 18, 1S69-, Henry, d. May 22, 1863; 



Jasper, d. Dec. 17, 1861 ; Lillie, d. Sep. 28, 
] 864 ; and Allie. 

ESTERHALT. 

William Esterhalt lives on Marrowback, 
and has a daughter named Carrie. This is all 
I know of the family. 

FARNSWORTH. 

Thomas Farnsworth came to the town 
about the year of 1 855, and was a shoe-maker 
by trade, living in the house now occupied by 
W^illiam Swift, at Union Corners. They left 
the town a few years ago. No childi-en. 

FINIGAN. 

There were two brothers that has lived in 
the town, as follows : 

John was b. in Ireland, and came to the 
town several years ago, and now lives at the 
Head of the Conesus lake. Whom he married, 
I am unable to say. His children are John, 
who m. Sarah Pridmore, Amelia, ^Miles, and 
Mary. 

James, the other brother, also lived at the 
Head of the Lake, where he d. a few years ago, 
leaving one child, Frank. His wife re-married 
Henry Cramer. 

FISH. 

ErnERiDGE Fish, m. Laura Stevens, and 
lived at Foct's Corners, where they resided a 
number years ago. They had four children, 
namely : 

1 St. James, m. Rebecca Gray : now dead. 

2nd. William, I am unable to speak of. 

3d. Romeyne, m., and lives in Iowa, 

4th. Lucy, m. 1st., Charles Sanford, by 
whom she has one child, named Grace, who m. 
John McVicar, Jr. Her 2ud. husband, Lewis 
(roddard, by whom she has one child. 

FOLLETT. 

George Follet came to the town several 



154 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



years ago. WhoHi he married, I am unable to 
say. He is a carpenter by trade, and lives at 
Conesus Center. Has two Children; Charles, 
and Harry. 

Ezra, his brother, came here soon aftei*- 
wards, imd il. June 25, 1874; a. '21 y's. 

FOOT. 

Foster Foot was b. in 1784, and d. July 

17, 1S57: m. Debora who was b. in 

1780, and d. Apr. 10, 1839. They came to 
Conesus about fifty years ago, and kept a store 
at Conesus Center, and then at Foot's Corners 
nil the place now uwned by his son Franklin. 
Their family consisted as far as I knew of four 
children, namely : 

1st. Ira, who d. May 1:J, 1 S4U ; a. 1!) y's. 

•Jiid. Maria, m. Clark Dibble, and lives at 
Livonia Center. 

8d. Clarisa, m. .losfpli Wells, and lives in 
Buffalo, N. Y. 

4th. F'ranklin, m. tst Kmeliiie Smith, who 
il. Apr. 24, 1851; a. 88 y's.: left two chil- 
dren; Mary m. James (/'arroll, and Ira who m. 
Dora Hump. His 2ud wife, Minerva Morris, 
who d. Apr. 20, 1865: a. 40 y's; left two 
children (now living), Klla, m. Albert Jerome, 
;iinl (-ecil, who m. Pjlizabetli Cole and has two 
children. His od wife, Jennie Brace, who d. 
Feb. 8, 1867: a. 81 y's. 4th wife, Harrie A. 
Crouch. 

F08DICK. 

N.\THAN FosiiicK was b. in 17<)9, and d. 

May 4, 1850 : m. Rocksenia , who was 

b. 177(1, and d. July 29, 1837. This family 
1 can not give a full history of. Their children 
were as folhtws : 

1st. Reiioiia, who wash, in 1791, and d. 
Mar. 5, 1875; m. Fannie Parker, who was b. 
in 1789, and d. Feb. 10, 1873. They had no 
children, and lived at Conesus Center, where 



he held the office of Town Clerk for over thirty 
years, 

Chancey, Matthew, John, Theodore, Roxey 
(m. Charles Everitte), and Betsy (m. Aaron 
Rodgers) I know nothing about. 

FOSTER. 

Daniel Foster, m. Lucy CoUer, and lived 
for a time at the Head of the Lake, on the place 
now owned by Van liuren Guldner, then to the 
place now owned by the family of the late James 
Myers, and now has left the town. They had 
one child named Carrie, who m. Thomas Hun- 
ter. 

FOX. 

Frank Fox, m. Alice Youngs, and came to 
the town in 1885, and lives at the Conesus de- 
pot, where he keeps an eating saloon. They 
luive one child. 

FBENCH. 

Sireno French was b. Aug. 12, 1810; m. 
Jane E. Whitney who was b. Jan. 3, 1816; 
came to the town in 1857, and lives on the 
shore of the Conesus lake. He is now a re- 
tired Insurance Agent, and has three children: 
Julia, who m. Philip Adams, Byron, and Mi- 
nerva. 

FULLER. 

Philo C. Fuller was b. in 1787, and d. 
Aug. 16,1855: m. Mary ^'owlen; came to 
the town in 1 841 , and left the same again in 
185(1. Had children, and among them was 
Edward and Samuel, the latter lived for a time 
south of Conesus Center, on a place now owned 
by Andrew Ferine. 

GAGE. 

Thaddeus Gage was a Revolutionary sol- 
dier, and was b. in 1 75(>, and resided in 
the town at the time of his <leath. As iar 
as 1 know, 1 take the following as his children. 




^nl ^Ukvi 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



155 



Alphus, b. in 1 787, and d. Oct. 7, 1 856. His 
wife Lobema, who was b. in 1796, and d. Nov. 
15, 1856. A daughter that m. Ansel Jenny. 

(lATES. 
Joshua Gates was an Kovolutionary sol- 
dier. He was b. in 1760, and b. Mar. 19, 
1 8'29. AH the record I have of him, is that 
he is buried in the Conesus cemetery. 

CilFFORD. 

Charles Gikford came to the town a few 
years ago, and resided in the northern part. 
He m. Anna Stilson, by whom he had two chil- 
dren. 

GILBERT. 

Joel Gilbert was b. in Vermont, May 4, 
179-2, and d. Feb. 7, 1870: m. Mariah Hen- 
derson, who was b. in 1800, and d, Jan. 18, 
1860. He came to the town in 1818, and set- 
tled at the head of Conesus lake. Here to-day 
can be seen the works of his hands. Their 
family consisted of four children namely : 

1st. William, who was born Oct. 28, 1828; 
111. Julia Carnes, who was b. Oct. .3, 1 888 ; 
lives at the head of the Conesus lake, on the 
" old Homestead." They have five children, 
namely : Estella who ni. Maron Cole, William, 
Nettie, Henry, and Luella. 

2nd. Henry, m. 1st Eineline Scott, who d. 
June 30, 1860. 2nd. Frank Woodruff. By 
the first wife they had three children, Helen 
who m. William Arnold, Ermie, and Henry. 
He is now Sheriff of this County. 

8d. Theodore, now in Oregon. 

4th. Nelson, who was b. Oct. 28, 1823; m. 
Aha Coller, who was b. Apr. 25, 1826. They 
reside on the west side of the Head of the Lake 
swamp. 

Hosea, the brother, was b. in 1797, and d. 

Feb. 11, 1844; m. Lucy who was b. 

in 1800, and d. Sept. 28, 1828. He was one 



of the early settlers of the town, and the works 
of his hands can still be seen near the sight of 
the Woolen mill, in the Purchase gully. The 
Genealogy of his family I can not give. 

GOULD. 

Stephen Gould, m. Ansey Sharp, and lived 
for a time on the shore of Conesus lake. They 
are both dead, and their children were Char- 
lotte who in. Chancey Turner, William who m. 
Susan Neff, Norman who m. Electa Bearss, 
Chester who m. Louisa Cadwell, Elvira m. 

Henry Nash and is now dead, Fanny m. 

Weller and is dead, and Teressa now single. 
I can not give any farther history of the family. 

GRAY. 

There were two brothers who came to the 
town at an early date, as follows: 

•Iessik who was b. in 1798, and d. April 
24, 1878 ; \L. Elizabeth Sliker, who was b. in 
1795, and d. June 6, 1871. They resided for 
many years on Turkey Hill, on the place now 
owned by their son Rancehann, and from here 
to Conesus Center, where they were living at 
the time of their death. They had ten children 
as namely : 

1st. Jessie, m. 1st Martha Cregc : 2nd, a 
Lady in the West. Now lives at Louisville. 

2nd. Rancehann, m. Matilda Havens, and 
lives on the " old place." Their children are 
James who m. Nellie Neff, Ida who m. Chas. 
Buck, Frank (married), Nellie, Susan, Jessie, 
Mary, Delia, Kate, Nettie, and Joseph. 

8d. Elizabeth, m, James McNinch. 

4th. Ezra, m. Wilkisrm, and lives 

at Conesus Center, and has two cliildren, Roma 
and 

5th. Elsie, m. David Coleman. 

6th. Emeline, m. Alfred Coleman. 

7th. Hannah, m. Miles Crego. 

8th. Kate, m. William McDugal. 



156 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



9th. Rebecca, m. 1st James Fish; "id Col- 
viu Barnes; nuw hi Washington, D. C. 

10th. Sene(-a, m. Mary Crego. They are 
both dead. Had one child named Clark, wlio 
is married and lives West. 

WUiLlA.M, the brother, lived in the south 
part of the town, and d. in 1878. Whom he 
married, I can not say. His chil<iren were 
David who m. Ann Warrington, and lives on 
the Marrowback hills; Arthur m. and lives at 
Hemhick J^ake, and lias children ; William who 
111. Mary Timbrooks and is now dead; Jake 

who m. Parson and lives in the south part 

(if the town : .Jefferson who is in., and lives in 
New Jersey : and F'arley, whom m., 1 rim nor 
say. 

(JREEN. 

There were two brothers who came heiv a- 
bout ten years ago, as follows: 

jACob, who m. Viola Quick, and d. J>eu. 
18, 1885. He owned the grist-mill for a time 
at Conesus Center, and then in 1885, sold the 
same and bought the ware-house at the Depot. 
They had one son, named Orange. 

Alex., the other brother, m. Emma May. 
He is a wagon maker by trade, and lives at 
(yonesus (Center. Has three (ihildren, Willie, 
Leo, and Mabel. 

Joseph Green, lives at the C'onesus Depot, 
and has been in the town for several years. 
His wife d. several years ago. I am not ac- 
quainted with a history of his family. 

GRIFFIN. 

There were two families by this name once 
resided in the town. One of them consisted of 
of two brothers named Andrew and Mark. An- 
drew's wife, Rachel, d. Mar. 10, 18(50; a. 52 
y's. This is all I know of the family. 

TnuiMAs Griffin, the head of the other 
family, was b. in Ireland: m. Mary , who 



was also born there. They came to the town 
in about 1860, and was residing in the depot 
at Clark's Station when it was burnt, and then 
built them a house near by, until 1880, when 
they moved to Foot's Corners. Their children 
wei'e Thomas ( m.), Ella, John, Kate, James, 
Michael, Mary (drowned), Francis, and Martin 
whod. in 1869. 

GRISWOLD. 

Benoni* Griswold was b. in 17 — , and 
Feb. 28, 1848; m. 1st Dorothy Terry. 2ftd. 
Clara Terry, who was b. in 1783, and d. Oct. 
2, 1 844. I do not know much of the family. 
They had four children namely : 

1st. Herscal, m. Elizabeth Taylor. Both 
now dead. 

2nd. Granger, ni. Charlotte Perchase, and 
now lives on Turkey Hill. They have one 

child, named Hellen, who iti. Tomjtson, 

and has a son named Hooker. 

3d. Octavua, m, Klisha Terry, and lived at 
Ithaca, N. Y., and is now dead. 

4th. Clarisa, now single. 

Benjamin Griswold was b. in 17<'t9, and 

d. Dec. 20, 1844; m. Sarah who was 

b. in 1777, and d. Jan. 18, 1849. This fam. 
ily I am unacquainted with. Their children 
were I-ucy, who m. Hosea (rilbert : Betsy, who 
111. Horace Hiinnington: Polly, who m. John 
Hedges: Lorenia. who m. S. P. Keep: Ben- 
jamin, who m. Sarah Taylor: and John. 

GULDNER. 

Martin Guluner was b. in 1802, and d. 
Oct. 26, 18(51 ; m. Sarah Bean, who was b. in 
1809, and d. June 18, 1886. They resided 
in the south-west corner of the town for over 
forty years. They had seven children namely : 

1st. Henry B., who d. Jan. 2, 1866: a. 29 
y's. 

2nd. Sylinda, m. Havens Thomas. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



157 



:>d. Emma, m. Morgan Hammond. 

4th. Van Buren, ni. Emma Brown, and lives 
at the head of Conesus lake. Has children. 

5th. Noman, m. Elizabeth Short, and lives 
at Honeoye. 

(jth. Addle, m. Jolm Sliker. 

7th. Sarilla, m. John Boyd. 

HARRISON. 
William Harrison now lives south-west of 
(vonesus Center, where he moved several years 
ago. He m. Charlotte Simmons, and their chil- 
dren are Mary, who m. Frank Arner ; Sarah, 
who m. Orualdo Morris, and Emma. 

HARVEY. 
Rev. Ransom Harvey was a Methodist 
clergyman, and was b. in 1795, and d. Sept. 
*2. 1844. His family I know but little about. 
One of his daughters, m. Don. Backus of South 
Livonia. 

HAVENS. 

James H.wens lives in the south part of 

the town. He m. Jemima Coleman, and has 

three children ; Dolla, wh(^ m. Bert McNinch, 

and William whom. Celia Kelleman, and Essie. 

HART. 

John Hart lived for a time upon the farm 

now owned by Oliver Hill. He m. : 

(]hapin, who d. in 1862; 2nd. wife, Elsie Coe. 
By his first wife, they had seven children, 
namely : 

Ist. Alonzo, m. Nash and lives West. 

2nd. Charity, m. Lewis Chamberlin. 

3d. Celia, m. Jotham Clark, Jr., and d. 
Sept. 7, 1868 ; a. 29 y's. 

'4th. Dell, m. Albert Swan. 

5th. Luther, ra. 1st Dell Wheeler; 2nd. 
Zelia McDonald : now dead. 

6th. Merton, married and lives West. 

7th. Elizabeth, m. Jotham Clark, Jr. 



HENDERSON. 

Samuel Henderson was b. in Pennsyl- 
vania, and came here as the first settler in the 
town in 1793, and took up his abode in the 
Perchase gully, near the present residence of 
the McMillen Brothers. Whom he married, 
I am unable to say : only he brought his fam- 
ily here, which cosisted of nine children, as 
follows : 

1st. John, m. Luna Arnold. 

2nd. William, who went West and married. 

3d. Maria, m. Joel Gilbert. 

4th. Adeline, m. David McMillen. 

5th. Ann, m. Andrew Arnold. 

6th. Syntha, m. Dr. Foot. 

7th. Samuel, d. Feb. 2, 1826; a. 37 y's. 

Sth. Jane, m. Frcst. 

9th. James, killed in the war of 1812. 

HENRY. 

There has been two brothers that has lived 
here, as follows : 

Jerome was b. in 1826, and d. in the army 
Jan. 30, 1863; m. Pheobe Clark, and lived 
at Union Corners. Their children were Jes- 
sie who d. May 10, 1854, Dayton who d. Mar. 
7, 1864, Jerome, Lilly, and Rosy. 

George, the brother, m. Elizabeth Bene- 
dict, and d. Feb. 25, 1868 ; a. 47 y'^. They 
lived on the east side of tlie Head of the Lake 
swamp. 

HERRICK. 
(^LARK M. Herrick, came to the town sev- 
eral years ago, and first kept store at Conesus 
Center, then owned the eating saloon at the 
Depot, and now owns the grist-mill. He m. 

Hann, and has two children, whose 

names are Frank, and Louise. 

HEWITT. 
Nathen Hewitt, m. Charlotte IloUenback 
and lived at Conesus Center, and both are now 



158 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



dead. Their children were Sarah, who m. 
Jason Hewitt: Caroline who ni. Wm. Swift: 
Cordelia who ui. Lu^ns Doud : Emma went 
to Pennsylvania and there died: and William 
who m. Elizabeth Robbins, who d. in 1884, 
and left a child named Walter. 

HII.L. 
Oliver Hill came to Conesus a few years 
ago, and bought the place he now resides on, 
in the northern part of the town. Wh(tni he 
he married^ I am unable to sa}'. He has a 
younger brother named Allie, living with him. 

HITCHCOCK. 

There were two brothers that came here at 
an early day, as follows: 

Hector, who was b. at Sharon, Conn., May 
1, 179(5, and d. Aug. W, 1S().5; ni. 1st. .Mary 
lidomis, who was b. at New l-rDtidon, Conn., 
Sept. 7, 1799, and d. Ajir. "24, 1H.'.4. 'ind. 
wife, Emily J. Benton, who d. a few years ago. 
He came from the town of Avon to this town 
in 1827, and settled on the place now owned 
by Andrew Kuder, and was a })rominent towns- 
man of his day. His family consisted of six 
children by his first wife, as follows : 

1st. Eliza, who d. in 1828. 

2nd. Henry, married and lives West. 

3d. Martha, m. Wilber Havens, and lives in 
1 owa. 

4th. Charles, m. 1st Jennie Summers, whod. 
July 11, 187U, leaving two children: (Miarlie 
wlio d. May 21, 1880, and Isabelle. For his 
2d wife, NoraStedman, by whom they have one 
child named Genevieve. They now reside (tu 
the " town-line " between Livonia and Conesus. 

5th. Frank, m. 1st Lillie Fuller, who d. in 
18(55. He now lives some where West. 

(>th. Mary, m. Andrew Kuder. 

Solomon, was b. in Amenia, N. Y., Nov. 
9, 1809, and d. June 20, 1886; ra. Laura Coe, 



who was b. at Parrish, N. Y., Apr. 10, 1814, 
and d. Feb. 9, 1885. He came here in 1831 , 
and at the time of their death, was residing at 
Union Corners. Like his brother, he was a 
prominent towns-man, and their children were 
Anna, who d. Sept. 25, 1855, and Edward, 
now single. 

HOES. 
Daniel Hoek lived for a time at Foot's 
Corners. He m. 1st, Mary Campbell, who d. 
Jan. 9, 1 870 : a. 33 y's ; by whom he had two 
children named Ella, that d. Oct. 30, 1864, 
and Fayette. For his 2nd wife, Mary Ingles, 
who d. Mar. 6, 1881; a. 37 y's. He now 
lives in Aleghany County, N. Y. 

HOLMES. 

There has been four families by the name of 
Holmes in the town, as follows: 

1st. Charles, who m. Betsy Stredder, and 
lived where William Penning now resides north 
of Foot's Corners. He went West in 1876 or 
'77, and his family consisted of four children, 
\\ illiam, Mattie, Charlie, and May. 

2nd. Teddy, who lived on Marrowback, and 
is now dead. Whom he married, I am unable 
to say. They had one son. 

3d. John, who m. 1st, Carrie Webster, who 
d. May 11, 1877. 2nd. — — ■ — and now lives 
at Webster's Crossing, and has (Children. 

4th. Thomas, who lives at (Jonesus (^enter, 
where he came about 1 855. He is an Eng- 
lishman by birth ; but whom he m., I can not 
say. His children are Horatio, who m. Fnniia 
Gray; Josey, who m. Henry Mathers; and 
Charlie. 

H(»RTH. 

Francis Horth, was a Revolutionary sol- 
dier, and was b. in 1757, and d. Apr. 6, 1844: 

m. Anna who was b. in 1780, and d. 

Jan. 14, 1847. The genealogy of the family, 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



159 



1 am not a<(juointe«l with, except two daugh- 
ters, Mary Ann, who m. Samuel Marring, and 
•Taiit^, wild in. Anson Northrup. 

IIOWITT. 

— - How I IT is an Englishman by birth, 



yml eaino tn the tnwu several years ago, and 
iinw lives on Marrowback. His children are 
William who m. Bell Willison ; Kate who m. 
Russel Bayles; and Mary, Fred., and Frank. 

HUBBARD. 

There has been two families by this name in 
the town, as follows : 

Stephen, who lived for a time on the Hub- 
bard place, at the head of the Cone.sus lake. 
Whom he m., I am unabh' to say. As far as 
1 know of his family, they had one daugliter 
named Hannah, who m. Willard ('olc. 

OrRIN, the ]iroii-eiiitor of flie other family, 
was b. in 1S<U, and d. Sept. -iC, JSC.i); ui Sal- 
ly Allen, who was b. in 18 — , and d. Mar. 1 li, 
1 SS.5. They resided for a time on the shoves 
of the Cfinesus lake, and then moM'd to the 
east side of the Head of the Lake swamp. 
Their children were two, as follows ; 

1st. Lydia, who d. May 10, 1857: a loy's. 

2nd. Orrin, who m. Malvina Sanborn, and 
lives south of ("onesus (Center. Children two, 
<Trant, and .Jennie. 

HUFFMAN. 

Frank Huffman lived for a time in the 
house now occupyed by Alex. Grreen at Con- 
esus Center, and was a wagon-maker by trade. 
He went West several years ago, and I am 
unable to give his genealogy. 

HUMPHRY. 

Chari.E!> Humphry lived at Conesus Cen- 
ter for a time, and now resides in Alleghany 
County, N. Y.. Whom he married, I am un- 
to say. Children three, Ray, Charlie, and 
Arthur. 



HUxNT. 

Albert Hunt came from Brooklyn here 
about the year of 1 808, and settled on the 
place he now resides on. He m. Anna Thomas, 
and has one child whose name is Frederick. 

INGELOW. 

There are now two brothers by the name of 
Ingelow in the town as follows : 

John, who was b. in England, and came 
here several years ago, and worked for Robert 
Bayles. He m. Elvira Bayles, and now lives 
on part of his father-in-laws place, north of 
ITnion Corners. They have four children, 
whose names are George, Luella, Gertrude, 
and Carrie. 

Thomas, was also born in England, and 
lame here in 1884, and is a tailor by occupa- 
tion and lives at Conesus Center. His wife 
died ill England, and his childern are Frank, 
Albert, John, Walter, Kate, Sarah, and Ma- 
rian. 

INGLES. 

There has been two brothers in the town, 
but I am not very well acquainted with their 
genealogy. They are as follows : 

Andrew, who m. 1st Harriet Bayles, who 
d. .Mar. 3, I8(i8: a 42 y"s. For his 2d wife, 
1 an. unable to .say. He now lives in the south 
part of the town. His children, as far as I 
can .say, arc Mary, who m. l)aiiiel lUes, and 
Amelia. 

John, the brother, m. Steves, and 

they lived on .Marrowback. Their children as 
far as I can say, is Deal, who m. Swartonf, 
and Carrie, who is also married. 

JACOB. 
Ei,iAS Jacob lives at Conesus (^enter where 

he moved a few years ago. He m. Mc- 

Ninch. I am unable to give any farther hi.s- 
of his family. 



KiO 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



.JANES. 
^lARTK^ Janks 111. Alary Kelleman, and 
buth are now dead. They had one son, whose 
name wa.* Winfield, and if living, is in one of 
tlie We.stern States. 

JENNY. 

An><ki, Jenny came to the town as an early 
settler, and resided east of Conesus Center. 

He ni. Grates, who was b. in 1786, and 

d. Dec. "26, 1 8H9 ; he d. a few year's previous. 

JERO.ME. 

There has been three brothers that has lived 
in the town, as follows : 

1st. Myron, who m. Surah Havis, and lived 
oil Marrowback for a-tiiue, and now resides in 
ijivonia. Their children are Davis, who in. 
Laura Barnes, and lives east of Union Corners; 
Sarah, who in. Fitz Barnard; Hobart, who ni. 
11 attie Patterson and lives on Marrowliack ; 
Wilber and Susan, single. 

•2nd. Samuel, who in. Alta Patterson, and 
lived for a time on the place now owned by his 
brother John, then on his father-in-law's, and 
now resides in Livonia. Their children are 
Jennie, who m. James Armstrong; Clara, who 
m. Pitts liarnard ; and .1 ulia. Frank " and 
Millie died young. 

od. John, who was b. in ISIS; m. .Mary 
Bridges who was b. the same year. They came 
to the town in 1856, and settled on the place 
tiiey now reside on. They had nine children, 
namely ; 

1st. Ivanra, who m. George Alger. 

'ind. Mary, who in. Hiram McNinch. 

8nd. James, who m. Elizabeth Dibble and 
lives in Livonia. Children four: Louis, Lottie, 
Arthur, and Roy. 

4d. Elizabeth, who m. Bennett R. Boyd. 

5th. Albert, who m. Ella Foot and lives in 



Livonia near the town-line. Children four ; 
Charlie, Fanny, Mary, and Florence who d. 
Apr. 4, 1882. 

6th. William, who m. Carrie Thorpe and 
lives in the town of Lima. Children three ; 
Maud, Blanche, and Liez. 

7th. George, who m. Lydia Quick and lives 
on his father's place. 

Sth. Frank, who d. Aug. IT, 1881. 

9tli. Emma, who m. William Mates. 

JEWELL. 

Of this family, there were two brothers who 
has lived in the town, as follows: 

Reuben, who lived at Union Corners for 
several years, and now at South Livonia. His 
children are Clara who m. Wakeman Cole ; 
Alice who in. Lewis Smith: Eugene, and 
one or two others, whose names I do not know. 

John, who was b. in 1829, and d. Alar. 29, 
1875; m. Mary Partridge, and lived on Mar- 
rowback. Their children are Frederick whod. 
Dec. 8, 1 S66, and Scott and one or two others. 

JEWITT. 

The family of the Jewitts, are one of the 
oldest families of the town. The ancestor was 
Moses Jewitt who was drowned in Conesus 
lake some sixty years ago. He m. Pattie 

, who was b. in 179(), and d. July 20, 

1S58. Their children were Alit. who in. Al- 
bert Acker; Hannah who ni. a Barnliardt ; 
William (dead), and Alfred. 

JINCKS. 

J. M. Jinok.s came to the town a few years 
ago, and has resided in several places. .\s far 
as I know of the family, they have one son 
named Homer, who m. Frankie Willison, wlio 
d. Sept. 18, 1885. 

JOHNSON. 

There has been two families by the name of 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



161 



Johnson in the town, as follows*: 

Israel, m. Betsy Benedict, who d. Dee. 
19, 1874; a. o7 y's. They lived for a time 
in the woods now owned by Edward P. Clark, 
in the northern part of the town, ami from there 
to Webster's Crossing. Their children were as 
follows; Emeline, who m. Mahlon Webster; 
.)oel-, who ni. Malissa Van Grordon, and lives on 
Marrowback ; Adelade, who m* Norman Rob- 
erts; and Ellen, who d. Sept. 28, 18(54. 

David, the head of the other family, lived 
for a time in the south part of the town, and 
now in the northern part. Whom he m., 1 am 
unable to say. . Their children were Jennie, 
who m. Stephen Clemon.s, and is dead, and 
('ary, who m. x\ugusta Newell, and has two 
children, Effie and Newell. 

JONES. 

WiM.iA.M Jones, was It. in lsl7; m. Bet- 
sy Webster, who was b. in 1820. They liave 
resided in the south part of the town until a 
few past years, and now live at Scottsburgli, 
X. Y. Their children are as follows; 

1st. Natelia, who m. Owen Sweeney. 

2nd. W infield, who in. Alice Keihl, and 
lives in the south part of the town. 

;5d. liuna, who m. Philip (^onklin. 

4th. .\nnie. 

KAVANAUGH. 

The family of Kavananngh in the town, con- 
sist (if two brothers, John and Daniel, who 
live on Marrt^wback. Their family genea- 
logy, 1 am not acquainted with. 

KELl.EMAN. 

Isaac Krlle.man was b. in 171»4, and d. 
Feb. 8, 18(52; m. Catherine Sliker, who was 
b. in 1795, and d. Apr. 14, 1883. They re- 
sided in the south part of the town, ajid their 
children were namely ; 

1st. Mary, who m. Martin Janes. 



2nd. Eliza, who m. Alonzo Hartson. 

3d. Emeline, who m. King. 

4th. Marilla, who m. David Romig. 

5th. Ann, who m. West. 

(5th. Rachsel, who m. John Stillwell. 

7th. Andrew, m. Kate Dean and lives at 
Union Corners. Children two ; Ida who d. 
May 18, 1858, and Bell. 

Sth. Eliphlet, who lived for a time at Foot's 
Corners, and now in the south jiart of the town. 
He m. 1st Juliette Wilson, who d. Jan. 17, 
1877 : a. 48 y's., by whom he had four chil- 
dren namely : Charlie, who d. Dec. 10, 18(53; 
Winfield, who d. Dec. 8, 1863; Ella, who d. 
Sept. 22, 1854; and Celia, who m. William 
Havens. For his 2nd wife, Alma Granger. 

KEN YON. 

WiLi.iAM IvENYON lives on Marrowback, 

and m. Valance. I am unable to give 

any history of his family. 

KINGSBURY. 

The genealogy of the Kingsbury family, I 
am unable to give, 1 was promised the same 
by one of the members, but have failed to re- 
ceive the same as we go to press. 

KUDER. 

Andrew Kuder was b. Nov. 11, 1S38: 
m. Mary Hitchcock who was b. in 1 84-. He 
came to the town about the year of 1 86(5, and 
resides in the north part of the same. Thev 
have three children, whose names are Haley- 
one, Dwight, and Kate. 

LAWN. 

There has been two brothers in town, by the 
name of Lawn, as follows ; 

William, who went in the army and was 
killed. He worked for Hector Hitchcock, and 
at the time of his death left a wife and child, 
of whom I know nothing about. 



102 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



Barnev, (like liis brother) was b. in Ire- 
land, and came to the town some thirty or 
forty years ago. Whom married, I am unable 
to say. He now lives east of Union Corners, 
and their children are William, who d. June 
11, 1 X7'2, and Mary, dames, and Ellen. 

LEWIS. 

There has been two families of Lewis'' in 
the town, as follows : 

1st. Jabez, who was b. in 1753, and d. 
Mar. 11, 1836. Whom he m., I can not say. 
He was a Revolutionary soldier, and came to 
the town in the year of 1805, and settled in 
what is now the orchard of Andrew Kuder, in 
the northern part of the town. Hi.s family i-e- 
cord, I have not; yet there were several cliil- 
dren, and amomg them were Lucy, who iii. 
Alexander Patterson. 

•2nd. GriLBERT, tlic jirogeiiitor ot tlic dther 
family, lived at Conesus Center for several 
years, and was a miller by 'iecu)iatinn. lie 
m. Maria Chapin. 

MACOMBER. 

Simeon MacoiMBEK came to tlie town sev- 
eral years ago. He d. Aug. 25, 188(>. His 

l.st. wife, — Wilder, by whom he had two 

(diildren. George, who was killed by the cars, 
and the others name I can not give. His 
2nd wife, was Ann Van Dorn, by whom he had 
one child name Elizabeth, who m. ICugene A. 
Cole. 

MAGEE. 

There has been two families of Magee's in 
tlie town, as foUows : 

Hugh, was b. in Bangor, Ireland, in 1797, 
and d. May 17, 1^71 ; came to this town some 
thirty or forty years ago, and lived at Union 
Corners, and worked at the tailor trade with 
his son John. Whom he married, I am una- 
ble to say. Mis children as far as I know, ai'e 



as namely : 

1st. John, who was b. in 1821, and d. May 
3, 1882 ; ni. Mary E. Clark. He was a tailor 
by trade, and their children were Louisa, who 

u). Ayers; Sarah, who d. Oct. 14, 

1858; Mary, who d. Sept. 14,1854; Lillie, 
who d. I>ec. 1, 1846; Kate, who d. June 10, 
1866; Anna, who d. Aug. 24, 1845; Sus- 
annah, who d. July 14, 1846 ; Nellie, who m. 
Charles Trescott ; Hugh, John, and Chalie. 

2nd Bobert, who m. Mary A. Trescott, and 
lives at Macedon, N. Y., and is a painter by 
trade. 

3d. William, m. 1st Electa Degraw, who d. 
Mar. 30, 1 875. 2nd wife, Nora Durfee, who 
d. Get. 1 8, 1 878 ; a. 40 y's. He is now West. 

4th. Kate, who m. Charles Raisbeck, and 
d. May 13, 1876; a. 42 y's. 

5th. !Mary A., who m. Whipple, and 

d. Mar. 4, 1S77: a. 47 y's. 

lli'GH, the progenitor of the other family, 
was b. in 179S, and d. July 30, 1885; m. 
Elizabeth Thomas, who was b. in 1795, and d. 
Sept. 6, 1872. They lived at the Head of the 
Conesus lake, and were early settlers here. 
Their children were as follows: 

1st. John, who m. 1st Jennie Magee. 2nd. 

Pherris, and has three children, whcse 

names I do not know. 

2nd. Hugh, m. Emma Bean and d. Mar. ^, 
1877; a. 38 y's. Has one child. 

MASON. 

Daniel Mason lived for a time on Turkey 
Hill, and also in the south part of the town. 
He m. Mary Baker. 

MARING. 

Samuel Marino lives at Conesu.« Center, 
and is an Elder in the Methodist church. \\'lin 
he m. for his first wife, I can not say. 2d wife, 
Lucy llorth, by whom he had two children. 



THE HISTORY OF C0NESU8. 



163 



G-eorge, who d. iu the army, and Frank who 
is now single, and lives with his parents. 

MANN. 
Aaron Ma.nn is a Telegraph operator at 
Conesus Center where he came in 1 885. His 
wife's name I am unable to give. They have 
one child. 

MASTEN. 

There are two families in the town as fol- 
lows : 

Henry' Masten came from Washington 
Co. N. Y., as an early settler. He m. Sus- 
annah , and their children are Cornelius, 

Tanner, William, Mary Jane (who m. Davey, 
and has a son in Rochester), Henry, Samuel, 
and Permelia. 

Selah, the head of the ether family, m. 
Electa Clark, and now resides on Marrowback. 
Their children are Walter who is married and 
lives West, and Helen who m. (jough, and ()r- 
ren, 

MAY. 

Harvey May was an early settler at Foot's 
Corners where he resided for several years. 
I know but a little of his family. He had one 

son named Hiram, who m. Morris, 

and d. in 1884. They had five children, as 
follows : 

1st. Delilah, single. 

•2nd. Elizabeth, m. Erastus Knowles and d. 
in 1880. 

8d. James, who d. Mar. fi, 180.3: a. 27 y's. 

4th. Jefferson, m. Elizabeth Sweet, and has 
five children whose names are Charles, Jennie, 
Willie, Fred., and Ross. 

.5th. Derias, m. Charlotte Shafer, and their 
children are William, who m. Nettie Allen, 
and their children are Gilbert and Ellen ; 
Ellen, m. William Trescott and d. May 28, 



187.8; Enmia, m. Alex. Green; Frank m. 
Henry Case, and his children are Willie, Earl, 
and Emma; Charles, m. Frank Richard, and 
has two children, Herbert and Ralph : Hermon 
and Minnie are single. 

MILLER. 
William Miller was b. Aug. 26, 1851 ; 
m. Nora Doud. He is a Harness-maker by 
occupation, and caine here in 1874. Also is 
a prominent town officer, and they have one 
child whose name is Earl. 

MILLS. 

William Mills, wliile young, was adopted 
and raised in the family of Granger Griswold. 
He 111. 13ell Mc Arthur and kept store in Gro- 
ver & Snyder's building for several years. He 
went West in the Spring of 1885. 

McARTHUR. 

Mc Arthur lived in the Calabogue 

Hollow, where his son Alex, now resides. He 
came here some twenty-five years ago, and at 
this place he died. His children as far as I 
knew were three namely : Alex, (whom m. 
I can not say); has two children whose names 
are William and John. Bell m. W. H. Mills, 
and another daughter who lives at Tuscarora, 
N. Y. 

McGINTY. 

Con. McGinty was b. in Irehuid, iu 1826, 
and came to this country in 1851, and to the 
town in 1 857, and was a Section boss for sev- 
eral years, and now lives at Union Corners, 
lie m. Mary J. Lawn, and their children are 
John, Kate, William, and Charlie. 

McGOWAN. 

Go WAN, is a Physician at Conesus 



Center, where he came a few years ago. He 
is a single man. 



164 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



McKAY. 

Hector McKay was b. in 17(»"2, and d. 

Sept. 28, 1846; m. Julia , who d Feb. 

•3, 1832. He came to the town in 179.5, and 
settled upon lot No. 1 08, and the next spring 
he moved to the place that he was living at 
the time of his death. The genealogy of his 
family, I am unable to give. 

McMlLLEN. 

David McMillen was born in Albany Co., 
N. Y., Feb. 80, 1794, and d. Aug. 29, 1837 ; 
m. Alta Henderson, whovse record I have not. 
He came to the town in 1818, and settled at 
the head of the Conesus lake, upon a farm that 
now bears his name. He was a noted physi- 
cian and an influential man. His family consis- 
ted of seven children as follows : 

1st. Charles, who has been married twice, and 
his children's names are Archie and Charles. 

•ind. .James, belongs to the U. S. Army. 

od. .John, who d. young. 

4th. Charlotte; 5th. Luna; 6th. Fulton; 
7th. Franklin, are single and live on the "old 
homestead." 

xMcNINCH. 

Jank. McNiNCH was born in Pennsylvania, 
in 1 752, and was the wife of Patrick McNinch 
who died before she came here. She d. Oct. 
10, 1825. They had five children, namely : 

1st. James, who was b. in 1771, and d. Nov. 
8, 1839; m. Jane x\llen who was b. in 1788, 
and d. Mar. 11, 1863. They came from 
Pennsylvania, in 1806, and lived at the head 
of Conesus lake, and by occujiation, he was a 
miller. Their children were as follows: 1st. 
William, who d. young. 2il. Jane, m. Hiram 
Boyd. 3d. John, m. first Luvisa Warner, 
who d. about 1838, and left one son Hiram, who 
m. Mary Jerome, and lives at Foot's Corners, 
and have one child, Alice. His 2nd. wife, 



Phoebe Skanck, by whom he had seven children 
whose names are Henry, Mary, James, Sarah, 
Benjamin, Jane, and Scott. 4th. Mary, who 
d. Oct. 15, 1879; a. 63 y's. 5th. James, m. 
Henrietta Wing and live at Union Corners. 
6th. Robert, single. 7th. Ellen, m. Timothy 
Hopkins, and lives in Iowa, and their children 
are Jane who m. Elias Bearss, Timothy now 
d., Pjlizabeth m. Smith, Sarah m. Gleason, 
Roxcy m. Skift', and Westley now single. 
8th. Samuel, m, Harriett Taylor and is dead. 
His children are Almond, George, Jane, Tim- 
othy, Laura, Vance (dead), and Ada. 9th. 
Washington, m. Elizabeth Gardner. 10th. 
Allen, m. Lucinda Bearss and live at Foot's 
Corners. 

2nd. Matthew, who was b. in Pennsylvania in 
1784, and d. Mar. 18, 1867; m. Sarah CoUer, 
who was b. in 1 792, and d. May 1 , 1863. He 
came to the town in 1806, and settled in the 
south-west corner of the town. Their family 
consisted of four children, namely : 1 st. James 
m. I'lizabeth Gray, and live in the south-west 
part of the town. Has one child, named Floyd, 
who m. Jane Buskirk, and has three childi-en. 
2nd. John, m. <'larisa Cruger, and liveil for 
a time on the "old homestead," then at Scotts- 
burgh, and now in Pennsylvania. Their chil- 
dren are Lina, Ella m. Krisher, James, 
Lewis, Eugene, Elizabeth, Su^en and Alonzo. 
3d. Thomas, who d. Nov. 5, 1836. 4th. I\hi- 
ria, m. Abraham Harrison, who is now dead. 
Children, two : Jan)es (m.), and Caroline. 

3d. John, who came here in 1804, and set- 
tled at the head of the lake. He m. Charity 
Campbell. I am not able to give a history in 
full of his childrens 'families. His children are 
as follows: 1st. Jane, m.. James Dennison and 
is dead. 2nd. James, m. Ann Sullivan. 3d. 
Patrick, m. Rosella Stephens, and now resides 
in the Calabogue hollow. Their children are 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



165 



Scott, who 111. Kittio Coe and has one child; 
Bert who in. Dolly Havens: Piimuis who lu. 
Romeyne Cole : and Florence who d. Mar. 4, 
1857. 4th. Pattio, m. Daniel Dennison. 5th. 
Christopher, iij. -lane Smith. Hth. Louisa, in. 
.)ohn Wainard. 7th. Betsy, ui. Henry Wea- 
ver. 8th. Samnel, in. Smith. 9th. Sal- 
ly, m. Horace Coppins. 10th. Rachael, ni. 
Ulyses demons, llth. Honry, m. Flem- 
ings. 

4tli. Samuel, was b. in 1778, and d. Feb. 
11, 1857; in. Parsey Coller, whose birth and 
death I have not. He came here with his 
brothers from Pennsylvania, in 1805. Their 
children are James, who m. Louisa Morris and 
live on the east side of the Head of the Lake 
swamp; John who d. Oct. 0, 18()(); a. iVS y's; 
Jake m. Lucy Brown ; Mary A , single; Chas. 
went to Pennsylvania and died ; and Matthew 
in. Elizabeth Bryant, and lives in Springwater. 

McVICAR. 

William McVicar, m. Betsy Roberts and 
tliey settled at an early day in the south-west 
part cf the town. Their children were Julia, 
Charles, Jane, John, Walter, Elizabeth, Ed- 
win, Edward, Martha, George, and Sarali. 
I know but a little of the family, except their 
son John, which is as follows : 

John, in. Elizabeth Tliorpe, and lived for a 
time in the hotel that was burned at Conesus 
(^enter, and then in the northern part of the 
town. They had three children namely: 

1st. Frank, m. (Miarles Austen, and lives at 
Geneseo. Children two ; Lizzie who d. in 
1 874, and Julian. 

■Jnd. (iie<nge. in. Sofrona Northrup, and d. 
at Lmia, Mich., in 1870. Has two children, 
whose names are Leon and Georgia . 

od. John, in. Grace Sanford, and lives at 
Conesus Center. 



MOORE. 

Gabriel Moork m. 



Hudson, and 

lived for a time at Conesus Center. Their 
children were Lidiamen, who m. Westfall : 
Elizabeth m. R. Janes; Chester, Mary, and 
A rod. 

MORREL. 

This family 1 know but a little about. Of 
the family, there are two brothers ; George, who 
m, Arsula Armstrong, and lives on the east 
side of the Head of the Lake swamp, and Albert 
who is married and lives on the west side of the 
same, and has three children. 

MORRIS. 

Rev. Sylvester Morris was b. in 1776, 

and d. Apr. 9, 1865; in. Elizabeth , 

who wash, in 1787, and d. Feb. 18, 1857. 
They came to the town as early settlers, and 
resided south of Foot's Corners, on what is now 
the Bayles place. His children are as follows : 

1 St. Caroline, who d. 1 82*2. 

•2nd. l)aiiit;l, who d. in 1847. 

>]d. Chandler, d. June 8, 1885; m. Abigal 
Aiusden, who was }». in ISOO, and d. Dec. 3, 
1863. They resided on the east side of the 
Head of the Lake swamp. Their children are 
as follows : 1st. \\'illiaiii, in. Sarah Wash- 
burn, and lives on the "old homestead." 
Their children are lleman (m.), Addie, George 
who d. Feb. 10, 18()1 ; a. 5 y's, Ida who d. 
Apr. 5, 1858, Jessie, Lillian, Mabel, and Vi- 
vian. 2nd. Louisa, m. James McNinch. -Sd. 
:Marshall, who d. Feb. 16, 1868 ; a. 31 y's. 
4th. Phcobe, who d. Feb. 17, 1847. 5th. A.i- 
die, lu. John Alger, and d. July 2, ]S6n. 
6tli. Frank, m. Mary .\nnis and lives in Mich- 
igan. 7th. Minerva, m. Franklin Foot. 

2nd. Sylvester, was b. in Paris, N. Y., Nov. 
30, 1801, and d. Feb. 14, 1877; m. Polly 
Alger, who was b. Nov. 15, 1810. He in life 



166 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



was a Christian minister. How often I have 
seen him in his " aged days," as he entered a 
church or school-house door, and as he would 
advanced toward the puljiit or desk, take off his 
hat, and part back those white locks with 
his handkerchief, whicli would create a love for 
him in the heart's of all who were present. 
And then in a feeble voice, with now and then 
a nod of the head, beseacli them all to follow 
a true Christain life. He came to tlie town 
•in 1818, and in 1847 was ordained as a min- 
ister by the Central New York Christain Con- 
ference. His wife is now the oldest person liv- 
ing in the town that was born here, and they 
lived for many years on the place where he 
died. Their children are as namely: 1st. 
Sylvester, m. Mary Calmont, and lives in Penn- 
sylvania, and his children are Maud, Grace, 
and K. B. 'Jnd. Ornahlo, m. Sarah Harrison 
and has two children, od. Davenport, m. Kate 
Ford and lives in Iowa, and has two children, 
whose names are Fred., and Louisa. 4th. Jo- 
sepli, who (1. in ISlt). 5th. Mary, now single. 
()th. Jolm, m. Josepheue Trescott and lives on 
the Homestead, and has two children, whose 
names are Sula, and Mabel. 

3d. Marshall, m. Hoard. Unable 

to give any more account of him. 

4th. Derias, m. Clarrisa Johnson, and had a 
daughter named Mary, now dead. 

5th. Emeliue, m. Mortimer McKay. Unac- 
quainted with her family. 

6th. Smith, who d. young. 

MOULTON. 
Benjamin Moui/i'on kept store at Conesus 
(Center for a time, and now lives in Ohio. He 
m. Mariette Kuder, and have had two children. 

MYERS. 

James M ykrs m. .Jennie , and came 

to the town a few years ago, and bought the 



place he was living on at the time of his death. 
He lost his life by falling from a wagon, Sept. 
11, 1885. Their children are Frank, Hattie, 
Bert., Curtis, and Harrie. 

NASH. 

GiFFORi) Nash resided on the lake road, 
where Uavid Wilkison now lives. He m. 
Sharp, and had eight children as follows; 

1st. Wells, m. Mary Uptagrove. 

2nd. Henry, m. Klvira (Jould. She is dead. 

8d. Mary, m. Alfred Sliker. 

4th. Polly, m. Frank Hilman. 

5th. Ida, m. Beckwith. 

6th. Sarah, m. Alonzo Randolph. 

Two daughters who m. ^Varren and Col ton 
Sharp (former dead), afld one m. A. Hart. 

NORTON. 

Seymour Norton was b. in Stafford, Vt., in 
1 802, and d. April 5, 1 8<;il ; m. Fanny Stevens 
who was b. in 1805. They moved to Conssus 
from Bethany in 1S41, and lived for a time oji 
the place now owned by David Coleman, and 
then moved to Foot's Corners, then back to 
Bethany, N. Y., again. They had seven ehil- 
dren as follows : 

1st. Margaret, )u. 1st Myron Hutchinson, 
by whom she had one daugliter named Anna, 
who m. Greorge Meade, and lives in California. 
Her 2nd husband, Enestus Cross, who is also 
dead. She now lives with her daughter. 

2nd. Harriet, m. 1st Thomas Gifford, who 
was killed in a railroad accident. They had 
two children, Charlie, who m. Anna Stiltson, 
and Carrie, who m. Edward Felthonsen, of 
Buffalo. Her 2nd husband, William King, who 
is now dead. She now resides in Buffalo. 

8d. Luvia, single. 

4th. George m. Elizabeth Leach, and lives 
in Iowa. Children two, Annie and Lillie. 

5d. Walter, m. Mary Smith, and lives in la. 



THE HISTORY OF C0NESU8. 



167 



Oth. Elihu, who d. Feb. 16, 1844. 

7th. Charles, who d. June 7, 1862 : a. 1 8 y's. 

ORR. 

.)os>KiMi Orr caiue to thft town some twenty 
years ago, and now resides at Couesus Center. 
He m. Kate Breen, and has children, whose 
names I can not give. 

PARTRIDGE. 
David Partridok came to the town sev- 
eral years ago, and settled on Marrowback, 
where he died June 2, 1888. He m. Laura 

, who was b. in 18()5, and d. March 12, 

1875. Their children are Lewis who is m., 
and lives at Livonia Center: Harrison, m. a 
Payne and live on the "old homestead;" 

, m. Rollen Coe : Jennie, d. Feb. 10, 

1870; Jane, d. Apr. 28, 18()8: and Mary, 
who m. John -lewell. 

PATTERSON. 

Ar>EXANUER Patt.krson was b. in \~XH, 
and d. Jan. K), ISHS; m. Lucy Lewis, who 
was b. in Warren, \. J., in 1 7iH), and d. Sept. 
21, 1882. Alex's, birth place was in Vermont, 
and in 1884, then a young man, he lesolved to 
.make Couesus his future hou.e. Having but 
limited means, and no more then sufficient to 
reach the town with, he resolved to peddle his 
way through, and by sv> doiug to save what 
little he had earned to aid him when he reached 
the town. So procuring a small tin trunk and 
the necessary articles, he set out on foot ac- 
companied by a male traveling companion who 
was coming here at the same time. All of tlie 
tirst day he tried to disposed of his articles, 
but wirliout success. And on the second day, 
he presented his companion with a pair of mit- 
tens, who was suffering with the cold, through 
his pack or trunk over his shoulders, and re- 
solved to peddle no more. On his arrival here, 
he took up his abode with Jabez Lewis, then 



living on the farm now own by Andrew Kuder, 
and in 1815, moved on the place that he was 
living on at the time of his death. They had 
eleven children as follows : 

1st. James, who in company with two young 
men name Purdy, started in 1850 by over-land 
route for California. On the 26th of October, 
— when most there, — was taken sick, and died, 
and his comrades buried liim under the roots 
fo a turned-up tree. Aged, 25 y's. 

2nd. Alexander, d. Aug. 19, 1 840 ; a. 22 y's. 

3d. Theodore, m. Harriet Warrington, and 
lived for a time on Marrowback, and now at 
Livonia Center. Had one child named Frank, 
who d. Feb. 28, 1855. 

4th. Lucy, m. Norman Thomas, and had two 
children; Anna, wlu' d. Feb. 17, 1887, and 
Greorge, who m. a McKay, and lives in Roth- 
any, N. Y. 

5tli. Dafena, ni. .lames Sherwood. 

tith. Sally Ann, m. Lee Bennett of Livonia. 

7tli, iloxy, Ml. Artimas Bennett of Livonia. 

•■^tli, Aha, ui. Samuel Jerome. 

9th. Mary, m. David Densmore who died a 
few years ago. They lived in Livonia, and their 
cliildred are AUie (d.), Lilly who m. Frank 
Armstrong, (^larence and Nettie who lives at 
home. 

It 'til. Aim, m. Jackson ]>ackus of Livonia. 
Their chihlreii are Don., Theodore, George, 
and Andrew. 

11 th. Robert, m. Elizabeth Yan Slyke, and 
lives in Iowa. Their children are James, Bert, 
Ernest, (k. in 1869), Erwln, Lucy, etc. 

Clinton Patterson, who is not eonnected 
with above, lives on Marrowback, where he 
moved four or five years ago, and bought a 
farm ncfir the Webster sch.iol-house. Ho 

m. Morris, and they have two small 

children, whose names, — on account of my not 
being acquainted with them, — 1 can nut give. 



168 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



PAYNE. 
Nathaniel Payne resided on Marrnwback, 
where he settled a number of years ago. The 
family T can not say much about. Their chil- 
dren were John, who went to California and 
died : Smith and Betsey were drowned in the 
(Jonesus lake ; Daniel, Jane, Harriet, Sally, 
and Polly I know nothing about ; Nathaniel's 
children are Harriet who .m Washington Dur- 
kee, a daughter who m. Harrison Partridire, 
and Charity. 

PENNING. 

William Pknning came to the town in 
1876 or '77 ; m 1st Sarah Holmes by whom 
he has one child named Fred. 2nd Harriet 
Holmes. 8d. Minerva Bailey, by whom he 
has two children, named Greorge and Hermon. 

PERU IN. 

William Pkrrin wjis b. in Washington Co., 
N. Y., ill 1825, and d. Dec. 8, 1853; m. 1st 
Sybil Chamberlin who d. July 2t), 1847. 
2nd wife, Rlioda Curtis. He came to the town, 
several years ago, and settled south of Conesus 
Center, on the place now owned by their son 
Andrew. The children by the first wife, are 
as follows : 

1st. Andrew, m. Linda Williams, and is now 
Mayor of Titusville. Their children are Lin- 
na, William, Marion, Sybil, and Charles. 

2nd. William L., m. Sally Foote, and lives 
in Olean, N. Y. 

3d. Lewis, m. Gertrude McEntee and lives 
at Olean, N. Y. 

4th. Mary M., dead. 

5th. Sybil S., now dead. 

By the second wife Luna, now single. 

PHILHOWER. 

Fred. Philhower lives at Conesus ('enter, 
where be moved several years ago. Whom he 



married, I can not say. Children four, Isaac, 
who m. Margaret Row, Rose m, Patrick Strong, 
William (m.), and Hattie. 

PHILIPS. 

L. M. Philips is a young physician of the 
town, and resides at Conesus Center, where he 
came a few years ago and located, then went 
away foi- a few years, and then returned again 
in 1885. Whom he m., I am unable to say. 

PICKERING. 
Wm. Pickering is m., and lives on Mar- 
rowback. His children are Fanny and James. 

PICKEL. 

Nicholas Pickle was b. in 1796, and d. 
May 25, 1 862 ; m. Elizabeth Gray, who was 
b. in 1800, and d. Jan. 2, 1876. They were 
early settlers, and lived for many years on the 
east side of the Head of the Lake swamp. 
Their children were as follows : 

1st. Rancehann, d. Jan. 14, 1851 : a. 15 y's. 

2nd. Alexander, who belonged to the 1st. 
Michigan Sharpshooters, and was killed in bat- 
tle, June 17, 1864. 

3d. Arthur, m. Louisa Morris and d. Jan. 
25,1851; a. 29 y's. 

4th. Alonzo, m. Corintha V^au Allen, and 
their children are Bertha, m. Charlie Sanger, 
Charlie, Miria, Arthur, etc. 

5th. Richard, m. Price. 

(ith. Adaline, m. Jacob Slate. 

7th. Elizabeth, m. Morgan Shafer. 

POLAND. 

Wm. Poland, m. 1st. by whom he 

had two children, Sarah who m. Isaac Havens, 
and Alice, m. Arnold llartson. 2nd. wife, 
Eliza Smith, who d. March 18, 1882. They 
lived for a time on the east side of the Head 
of the Lake swamp, and then to Foot's Corners 
where his last wife died. Now living with his 



THE HISTORY OF C0NESU8. 



169 



daughter, — Mrs. Havens — in Sparta. 
POWELL. 
TvLER Powell was b. Oct. 13, 1 815; m. 
1st, Mary Lowdeu wlio d. in 1858, living three 
children, Franklin, (joorge, and Elizabeth, 
liud wife, Mary Wallace, and now re.sides on 
Marrowback. 

PUTNEY. 

Georgk Putney, in. Lucia Net!', and in the 
3ear of 1885, lived in the northern part of the 
town, and now on the eastern slope of Turkey 
hill. Children two, Adelbert and Iningene. 

RAY. 

MvRON Hay came to the town a number of 
years ago, and d. Jan. 8, 1881; m. Lyura 

, who d. Dec. -28, 187(i. They resided 

several years on the place now owned by Hen- 
ry Cramer, and from here to Marrowback, 
where they died. Their children are Julian, 
Charlie (one child named Amanda who m. A. 
C'ole), Harriet (dead), James, Maria, and Eu- 
liice, who d. Juno 28, 185'2; a. 18y's. 

RICHARDSON. 

There seems to have been several families of 
Kichardsons in the town. One of the families 
lived for a time east of the Conesus Post Office, 
on the lands now owned by Hiram Boyd. An- 
other family, was that of Francis Richardson, 
who liveil near .lotham Clark on Turkey liill, 
and as we have stated, committed suicide. As 
both families left the town son;e sixty years 
ago, I can give no history of them. 

Le.muel Riohardson was a Revolutionary 
soldier, who settled ai an early day south-west 
of Conesus Center, lie was b. in 17().S, and 
d. June 2'2, 1847. His wife must have died 
before he came here, for we fail to find her 
grave beside that of his. His children as far 
as I know, are as follows: 



1st. Stephen, d. May 24, 1840; a. 18 y's. 
2nd. Hiram, d. Sept. 18, 1828 ; a. 28 y's. 
;!d. Mariah, d. July Bl, 1825; a. 2 y's. 

4th. B. Lemuel, m. and lived on the 

"old homestead," and d. Mar. 14, 1884. 
5th. Ami, m. and d. Apr. 25,1877. 

RIPLEY. 

There has been two families by the name of 
Ripley in the town as follows : 

Tyranus came to the town as an early set- 
tler, and resided on the shore of Conesus lake 
whei-e Samuel Sliker now live. He m. Re- 
becca Howe, who was b. in 1795, and d. in 
1878. He d. Jan. 1, 1881. Their children, 
— as far as I am able to give their history — 
are as follows : — Lemaii lives at Dansville : 
Dr. H. Z, at \Vashington, D. C.; Lydia, m. 
Rev. Elias Buck : Mary, m. t. Wells of Lake- 
ville : H .M., of Rochester : .M. W.. of Lima . 
and Willis, who was murdered in Michigan. 

Hakvkv, the heat! of the other family, lives 
at Conesus Center, and is a carpenter by trade. 
He m. Mary Sliker, and has one child. 

KOCKKFELLOW. 

GfidKOE ROCKFKLI.OAV came to tlic town 
about the year of 1845. At~one time he had 
-;in interest in a store at Ciiiiesus Center, and 
was engaged in the niiHiiig business at this 
place when he failed. His family 1 know 
nothing about, except he wi-nt West and died at 
Carson City, Nev., in 1 880. 

KOMIC. 

David Rd.mig came to the town some 
twenty-five years ago. He m. Matilda Kelh 
man, and d. Sept. 8, 1873. Their chlidren are 
.Mary, who m. Luman Italdwin, and Frank wii< 
111. Lvda Hnek and has three children. 

ROWLAND. 

Joseph Rowlano came to the u.wii whcM 



170 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



he was a yniing man. m. 'Caroline Cross, and 
they lived for a time at Foot's Corners, and 
then moved to a lo^r house that stood on the 
lands now owned by F. Coe, nurth of the resi- 
dence of I lira 111 Boyd, and then to the place they 
now reside on, and is Postmaster of the Cone- 
sus Office. They have five children, namely: 

1st. Henry, m. Jennie Mainor, and lives at 
Savonia. 

"ind. Nellie, m. Elmer Long. 

od. Frederick, m. Mattie Ames, and has one 
child, Leverne. 

4th. Artimus, m. Florence Persons, and lives 
at Hemlock Lake. 

5th. Gertrude, single. 

SAWDV. 

Fred. Sawdy lives at l^nion Corners : ni. 
Delia Duflfy. and has one child. 

SEDAM. 

Jerry Sedams family 1 know but little of. 

They lived in a house that stood near the sight 

of the house of George .Jerome. Their children 

were •Eliza, Charles, Minervia, and .Nathaniel. 

SHAFER. 

There are two families by the name of 8ha- 
fer in the town, as follows : 

Phineas Shaker was b. ih Pennsylvania, 
Aug. 22, 1820. When at the age of two years 
he came with his parents to Sparta, and in 
1842, to Conesus. He in. Emma Buskirk, 
and has one child namely ; Frank P. who was 
b. in the town, May 11, 1854. At the age of 
five years, he came from the place where he 
was born (James C* McNinch place,) with his 
parents, to the place now owned by them, one 
mile west of Conesus Center. His younger 
days he spent in attending school near his fath- 
ers, until he arrived at the age of seventeen 
years, when he was sent to the Normal School 
at Gen<^seo, for two terms. At the age of 



eighteen, he commenced teaching, which he 
followed for nine terms. In 1883 he was 
elected Justice of the Peace, and on the 1st. 
of November of the same year, he purchased 
the carriage and agricultural business of Geo. 
W. Baker, at Conesus Center. Sept. Id, 
1879, he m. Helen R. x^nnis, by whom he has 
two children whose names are Erma and Ouolee. 

Morgan Shaper settled at the head of the 
Conesus lake, about 1870. He m. Elizabeth 
Pickle. 

SHERD. 

Laban Sherd kept for a time the hotel at 
the head of Conesus lake. His 1st wife were 
Lucy Gilbert, now dead, by whom they had 

one son named Jay. 2nd. wife, Brown, 

and they are now ^\'est. 

SHERWOOD. 

There has been two families by the name of 
Sherwood in the town as follows : 

1st. Stephen, who m. Sarah Cook. Their 
children were Sarah, who m. Goodsal and is 
now dead ; Jerushua, m. Buckland, and lives at 
Perry and has three children ; Clark, m. El- 
vira Cook and lives at Lakeville, and has ten 
children ; James, m. Daffeny Patterson, and 
lives in Wisconsin, and has four children; 
Stephen, m. Jane Baker and lived for a lonjr 
time at Foot's Corners, and was a blacksmith 
by trade, and now lives at South Livonia. 
Their children are Alberto, who m. Kittie Ba- 
ker, and lives at Batavia, and Rodney, who d. 
March 8, 1882. 

Rancehann, the progeniator of the other 
family, lives en Marrowback. His wife's name 
is Lovelina, and their children are Emilton 
m. Sarah Howitt, Sarah m. George Mathers, 
and Louisa m. William Esterhalt. 

SLIKER. 
Stephen Sliker was b. in 17(>4, and d. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



171 



May 11, 1849; in. Hannah who was 

b. in 1775, and d. May 11,1 849. They came 
to the town as early settlers, and lived on 
Turkey Hill near the present residence of Car- 
rie McKeiiwii. They had three children as 
follows : 

1st. William, who m. — Smith, and 

lived in Oalabogue hollow, where he died a few 
years ago. His children are Emma, who m. 
Wells ; Mary who m. Harvey Ripley . Tillie 
whom. Alonzo Palmer and now dead; and 
William who m. Jennie Lindsley. 

2nd. Lawrence, who was b. in 1808, and d. 
Feb. 22, 18<)3-. m. Caroline Wolverton, who 
was b. in 1811, and d. Dec. 26, 1877. They 
resided on Turkey Hill, and their children are 
Alfred who in. Mary Xash and his children are 
Grabrella, fjawrence, Bert., Shelby, Cora, John, 
and Alfred : John, m. Addie Gruldner and now 
lives in Oregon ; Daniel, now West; (jabriel, 
who d. Aug. 4, 1871 -. a. 28 y's ; Carrie, who 
111. .John McKeown . John, who d. Feb. 4, 
IS45: Catherine, who d. Feb. H, 1845; 

;M. (jieorge, went West. 

4th. Sanuel, m. 1st Maria who d. May 

7, 1S72. 2nd. Mrs. Sarah Buck. He lived 
for a time on Turkey Hill, and now on the 
shore of Conesus lake. 

SMITH. 

There has been several families by the name 
of Smith in the town, as follows : 

In 1848, there was a family that lived at 
Foot's Corners, and the lady whose name was 
Martha, d. that year with small-pox. I know 
nothing farther of the family. 

William, the head of the second family, 
lived for a time east of Foot's Corners. He and 
his wife are now both dead. Their child is 
William, who m. Mary A. Barber, who d. a 
few years ag(». He had three children, whose 



names are Lewis, who m. Cora Jewell, Weltha 
who m. Sidmore, and Louisa. 

Henry, who lived for a time at Conesus 
Center, but who he m. first, I am unable to 
say. They had two children, Willie who d. 
July 1, 1876, and Frank, who m. Allie Coe, 
and lives in Chicago. His 2nd wife, Jennie 
Coleman, who d. Sept. 14, 1880. 

SNYDER. 

Lysander Snyder was a resident of the 
town for several years, and d. a few years ago. 
He m. Adaline Clark, who d. Oct. 20. 1868 ; 
a. 87 y's. They lived at Union (Corners. 

George, a nephew of the above, m. Allie 
Alger, and came to Conesus Center in 1886, 
where he is now a merchant. 

SOPHER. 

Davii» Sopher was a Revolutionary Soldier 
and was b. in 1751, and d. Sept. 5. 1841 : in. 

Mary who was b. 1769, and d. Aug. 

22, 1885. We have no more ri'i'ord of the 
family. 

SOUTHWELL. 

Frki). Southwell lived for a time south of 
Conesus Center, and then on the jilace now 
owned by the family of James Myers, in the 
northern part of the town, and now at Lima, 
N. Y. He 111. Julia Moultcm, and had one 
child, whose name is Ettie. 

SPAIN. 
John and Thomas Spain were two broth- 
ers, and at one time both resided in the town. 
The former m. Kate Fogarty, and they have 
several children, but I am unable to give their 
names. 

STARK. 

.\ktiiur Stark came to the town a few 
years ago, and kept store first south of the 
Universalist church, and now north of Alger's 



172 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



hotel. Whom m., I can not say. His chil- 
dren are Lee., and an Infant. 

STEEL. 

James Steel was b. in the town of Am- 
herst, N. H., in 1767, and d. Sept. 6, 1865; 

m. Sarah who was b. in 1772, and d. 

July 15, 1857. He came to the town at an 
early day, and settled at the head of the Cone- 
sus lake. I know but a little of this family, 
except they had two sons, Elias and Harvey, 
tlie latter m. Miss Carey. 

STEVENS. 
AsHABEL Steven-s was b. in 1785, and d. 

March 24, 1861 ; m. Dimmis who was b. 

in 17'.>0, and d. April 1, 1852. The record 
I if this family I have lost. But as far as I re- 
member, they had two daughters, Rosella who 
m. Patrick McNinch, and Dimmis whi) m. 
John D. Alger, and d. July 2, 1868. 

STRONG. 

Patrick Strong lives upon Marrowback 
where he moved a few years ago. The family 
I am unacquainted with. His children are 
Thomas, Patrick, James, Ellen, Maria, Susan, 
and Bridget. 

STK AIJB. 

Frederick Straub was b. in Germany, 
and came here in 1851, and opened the first 
(yabnet shop in the town. Whom he married, 
1 am unable to say. He lives at (-onesus Cen- 
ter, and his cliildren are Fred., who d. March 
25, 1876, and Delia. 

SOMMERS. 

Rudolf Sommers came to the town a few 
years ago, and now lives east of Foot's Corn- 
ter. Whom he married, I am unable to say. 
Their children are Clara, Rudolf, Agnes, Fred, 
and Charlie. 



SWEETLAND. 

The grave of Molly Sweetland is found in 
the Conesus Center cemetery. Who she was, 
I am unable to say. She was b. in 1742, and 
d. June 7, 1826. 

SWEENY 

Alexander and Owen Sweeny were two 
brothers, and was born in Ireland. They 
came here sorao thirty years ago, and Alexan- 
der died soon after. Owen m. Natelia Jones, 
and now lives in Sparta. 

SWIFT. 
William Swift came here as a wagon-ma- 
ker in 1835. He m. .Mary A. Hewitt, and 
they lived for a time at (;one.sus Center, and 
now at Union Corners. They have uue child 
name Ettie, who m. James Bailey. 

TIM BROOKS. 

The family of Timbrooks, 1 know but a lit- 
tle about. They were one of the early families 
of the town, and lived for several years south 
of Conesus Centes. They have one son named 
Henry, that is married and now lives at that 
place. 

TITSWORTH. 

Abraham Titsworth lived for a long time 
in the Calabogue hollow, and now in Michigan. 
Whom he m., I can not say. Their children, 
as far as I know, were Annie, who m. Dewitt 
Alger, Hamilton and (leorge, both now West. 

THOMAS. 

Even Thomas was b. in Pennsylvania, in 
1790, and d. Dec. 13, 1863; m. Saran Havens, 
who was b. in 1808, and d. Jan. 13, 1872. 
They came here as early settlers, and always 
resided on the place now owned by Ezra Clark, 
where they died. Their children were as 
follows : 

1st. Robert, m. Esther Degraw, who d. Jan. 



THE HISTOIU' OF CONESUS. 



ITM 



H, 1858, leaving two children, Annie vvlio ui. 
Albert Hunt, and (^harlie, now Wost. 

2ndk Elizal)etli, m. llaynes, and d. 

Dec. 26, IS7.S: a. 51 y's. She left t\V(r chil- 
dren. 

8d. Matilda, m. John Mass, who was killed 
by Ellis a few years ago in Dansvillo. 

4th. Sarah, m. Wisner. 

5th. Frank, some where West. 

(ith. Watson, d. Nov. 12, 1 SC.:] : a. 2() y's. 

7th. Evan, m. Ann Carroll, and lives West. 

8th. Harriet, m. Leman Northrup. 

9th. Ann, m. (Carroll, and is now dead. 

10th. Joseph, accidentally shot by a com- 
rade in the army. 

11th. I. Havens, m. Sylinda Guhlner, and 
lives at the head of Conesus lake, (^hildren 
three, Willie, IJelle, and Frank. 

12th. Minerva, ni. Harrison Coleman, and 
lives at Saginaw, Mich.. 

THORPE. 

There has been two brothers that has lived 
in the town, as follows : 

Charles Thorpe was b. in New Haven, 
Ct., in 1785, and d. Mar. 81, 1829; m. Char- 
lotte Morrison who was b. in 1794, and d. 
Aug. 1<), 1S5(.). He came here when he was 
a young man, and they lived for a time on the 
place now owned by Henry Cramer. They 
had six children, as follows ; 

1st. Lucinda, m. Garrett Daniels. 

2nd. >AIary Ann, m. Matthew Allen. 

3d Olivia, who d. Jan. 4, 1828; a. 12 y"s. 

4th, Henry, who d. in 1814. 

5th. Elizabeth, m. John McVicar. 

fith. Seymor, m. Eraeline Dean, and lives 
.it Foot's Corners. Children two, lardell, and 
Carrie who m. William Jerome. 

Joel Thorpe, — the other brother, — was b. 
in 1780, and d. in l%[9; m. Lydia Thorpe, 



who was b. in 1781, and d. in 1858. He came 
to the town as an early settler. Their chil- 
dren were as follows : 

1st. \Varren, m. Lucy Patterson and d. in 
1S78. 

2nd. Anizi, b. in 1817; m. Celina Alder- 
man, and now lives at Gainesville, N. Y. 

8d. Rollen, m. Henrietta Densmore, and 
lives in Wisconsin. 

4th. Charles, m. Betsy Densmore, and d. in 
1847; she d. in 1852. 

TRESCOTT. 

There has been three brothers in the town, 
as follows : 

1st. Solomon, who m. Remington, 

and they have lived for a nundjer years at 
(:onesus Center. Their children are Mary A., 
m. Robert Magee; Daniel, m. Emily West, 
and lives at C(mesus Center, and has one cliihl 
named Eva; .losephene, m. Jithn D. Morris; 

Corda, m. Andres.s: Charles, m. Nellie 

Magee ; Cyrus (m.) ; and Eugene. 

2nd. Asa, was b. in I8<t4, and d. l>ec. IS, 

1 88(i ; m. Smith, who d. a few years ago. 

Their children are William, who m. 1st Ella 
May, who d. May 28, 187«. 2nd wife, I am 
unable to say. Laura, m. McGiidey. 

8d. Cyrus, m. 1st Rebee, by whoui 

he had one .son name Charles. 2nd wife, Luct 
Chapin, by whom he ban one child named El- 
mer. He lived fur a time on the shore ot 
the Conesus lake, and now at Livonia Station. 

VINCENT. 

<1k(»kok K. A'lNOENT came to the town in 
lS(iS, and was then a Harness maker by trade. 
He lived at Conesus Center. Married Alta 
Chase, by whom he had three children, whosf- 
name are George, Charlie, and Annie. Tin- 
last years he was in the town, he was engaged 
in manufacturinof " Patent IMedicine." 



174 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



WAMBOLD. 

Edward Wambold lives at the head of 
Conesus lake. He m. Lyda Roberts, and has 
two children, whose naaiies I can not give. 

WEBSTER. 

There were two brothers that came to the 
town at an early day, as follows : 

EiJsHA, was b. in 1794, and d. Feb. 25, 

1867; ni. Betsey who was b. in 1800, 

and d. June 28, 1877. Their home was in 
the south part of the town, and near a school- 
house that bears their naii.e. Their children 
were as follows : 

1st. Elisha, ui. Ann Clemons, and lives at 
Webster's Crossing. Children two, Elisha 
(m.), and Luna who m. Harvey Hill. 

2nd. Mahlon, nj. Emeline Johnson, and they 
have four children, Frank, Cora, Willie, avid 
Bert. 

3d. William, m. Barnhardt. 

4th. Alantson, m. and has two (.-hil- 

dren, Ellen and Edward. 

5th. Orlando, m. and had twn rliil- 

dren, Delia, and James, who d. July 7, 1874. 

(Ith. John. m. Anna Coe, and lives at Cone- 
sus Center, and has one child name George. 

7th. Victoria, m. John Vretenburg. 

8th. Betsey, m. William Jones. 

9th. Sarah, ni. Tillie demons. 

10th. Mary, Jackson demons. 

Lawrknce a, brother of the above, lived on 
Marrowback, near the school-house that bears 
his name. He m. Eliza Haywood who d. Nov. 
15, 1875. He died several years previous. 
Their children are Susan; Augeline, m. (luy 
Bennett ; Elizabeth, m. Guy Bennett and is 
dead; Carrie, m. John Holmes, and d. }hiy 
11, 1877; Celestial, d. Nov. 21, 1880; Flor- 
ence, d. May 18, 1872; Lawrence, m. Carrie 
Damon, and lives on his father's homestead. 



WELLS. 

Isaac T- Wells was b. in 1807, and d. 

Nov. 2, 18H7. ni. Charity . He came to 

the town some fifty years ago, and settled at 
Conesus Center, and was a blacksmith by 
trade. Their children were Hyler, who lives 
in Washington, Wiley, who is a Lawyer and 
has been Congressman from the State of Miss- 
issippi, and Elizabeth, who m. Robert Lee of 
Grovelaiid, who is now dead. 

WEST. 

Joel West came to the town at an early 
day, and lived in the Calabogue hollow. He 
m. Angeline Wing, who was b. Oct. 27,1811. 
Their children were Emeline, who m. Azel 
Coleman, and is now dead; Emily, m. Daniel 
Trescott ; Mary, single: Carrie, m. Charles 
Durfee, and now dead : John, m. Rosana Lee, 
and their children are Andrew, John, Julian, 
now dead, and Eliza; Chancey, m. 1st, Marv 

: 2nd. Lucy Gardner, and has one 

son, name Perry: Ilulda, m. Arnold. 

WESTER. 

Jacob \\'kster was born in Germany, and 
came here about 185(1. Whom m., 1 can nht 
say. He lives in the Purchase gulley, and 
their children are Amel, who m. Ada Spencer. 
Charles (m.), George, John, Lillie, 3Lirv, Al- 
ice, Andrew and Elias dead. 

WHEATON. 

There has been two brothers by the name of 
Wheaton in the town, and both of them lived 
at the head of the Conesus lake, as follows: 

E-SEK, ui. Cornelia Degraw, now dead. 
Their children are Frank, (who m. 1st, C. F. 
Basom, and 2nd, R. Jj. Pierson), George (m.), 
Jerome, Ira, John, and Esther who d. March 
28, 1802: a. 8 y's. 

Charlie, m. Lathuse Redman, and they 
have two children, named Loyd and Iceman. 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



175 



WHEELER. 

W.vHREN Wheeler, caine to the town as 
one of the early settlers, and lived in a log 
house that stood a little south of the residence 
of Hiram Boyd, and soon after moved to South 

Livonia, where \vo d. in 1884. He m. 

Baker, and their children were Maria, who ni. 

Henry Coe; William, ni. 1st. , 'ind. 

Kliza McDonald: Dell., m. Luther Hart, and 
is now dead ; m. Simon Oley. 

WHITEMAN. 

\VlJ;UAM Whiteman was b. in 18"28, m. 
Nancey Mills, who was born in 183li. They 
came to the town some twenty years ago, and 
have resided since on the place they now live. 
Have no children except an adopted boy named 
Henry, who m. Mary Shafer. 

WILCOX. 

Erastus Wilcox lifed for a time up(.n the 
farm now owned by the Morris family, west of 
Union Corners. His wife's name was Martlia. 
While living here, they lost two children, Ab- 
ner, who was accidentally shot at Lakeville, 
8ept. 23, 183'2: a. 1-i y's., and James, who d. 
Oct. (), 1832; a. 1 5 y's. 

WILDER. 
Daniel Wilder came to the town, some 
forty years ago, and made it his home in the 
(.'alabogue hollow. He m. tirst a Strong, and 
for his second wife, a Meacham. He d. Nov. 
27, 1886. This is all I know of the family. 

WILISON. 

William Wiliso.n resides at Union Corn- 
ers where he came some thirty years ago. He 

m. Wood, who d. Apr. 17, 1885. Their 

children are Belle, who m. William Howitt, 
Frank, m. Homer Jiucks, and d. Sept. 18, 
1885, Hattie, m. William Bortels, Thomas, 
m. Kaddie Bortels, Ida, and Charles. 



WILKINSON. 

There are two families in the town, by thf^ 
name of Wilkinson, as follows: 

WiLKlNsOiN lived at Conesus Center 

for a time, and now with his son-in law, Ezra 
Gray. He was b. in 1800, but whom he m., 
I can not say, or give his childrens names. 

David, — the progenitor of the o,ther fam- 
ily — lives on the sliore of the Conesus lake. 
He 1)1. Jane Bearss, and their children are 
.^lyroii and William, the latter m. . 

WILLIAMS. 

The family of Harkless Williams, consisted 
of himself and wife, and were Negrc people. 
They came to the town, at its first settlement, 
with a v?hite family by the name of King. 
They built them a small house on the flats, a 
little west of Alanson Coller, where he died a 
few years ago, and their home was taken from 
his wife, and she died at the County House, at 
Uene.seo. They, at the time of their death, 
were very aged, and were respected by all who 
knew them. 

WING. 

Aaron Wing was b. July 12, 178(*, andd. 
Oct. 19, 1S4-; m. Lucy Warner, who was b. 
July 22, 1784, and d. Mar. 14, 18()0. They 
came to the town as early settlers, and lived 
ill the Calabogue hollow. They had eleven 
children as follows: 

1st. Harriet, m. Alexander Warner and lives 
at Castile, N. Y. 

2nd. Willis, m. 1st : 2nd Maggie 

Wilder, and has one child named Olive, who 
111. Darius Cargo. 

3d. Alfred, m. 1st Caroline Dyrutf; 2nd 



4th. Adaliiie, who lives East. 
5th. Ashabel, d. in 1810. 
nth. Chancy, d. in 1821. 



176 



THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 



7th. Asahel, in. Mary Hruzee, and lives in 
(yleveland. 

8th. Horace, m. Caroline Knight, and has 
one child name Ella, who ni. Silas Keys. 

9th. Philip, ni. Hepsibeth Strong, and lives 
at Loekport. Children three, George (dead), 
Ada, and Elmer. 

10th. Henry, who d. in 1822. 

11th. Henrietta, m. James McNinch. 

WILHELM. 

Of this family, there are two brothers that 
came to the town in 1829, and settled in the 
southern part, as follows: 

1st. John, who was b. in 1818; m. Lora 
Humphrey, who was b. in 1815. Their fam- 
ily consisted of six children namely : — Emily, 
Sidney, Ellen, Solon, Eugene, and Martha. 

2nd. William, the other brother, was b. in 
1825; m. Pharazina Allen, who was b. in 
1881, and d. Feb. 15, 1870. For his second 
wife, Mary Tompson. By his first wife, their 
children were as follows : — Rhoda, Ella, 
Sarah, who d. June 28, 185H, ^lary. who d. 
Apr. 17, 1857, and George, who d. Apr. 8, 
1865. 

WOODRUFF. 
DuANE Woodruff lived for several years 

in the Calabogue hollow. He m. 1st 

Chapin; 2nd Compton. I am not ac- 
quainted with the family, to speak farther of 
them. 



YOUNGS. 

Thomas Youngs, was b. in 1772, and d. 
May 22, 1855; m. Mary Gale, who was b. in 
1777, and d. Feb. 11, 1805. They came here 
as early settlers of the town, and always re- 
sided on the place now owned by Ezra Gray, 
north of Conesus Center, where they kept a 
hotel. As far as I knew, they had one scm 
name John, who was b. in 1804, and d. April 
23, 1852 ; m. Ellen Harris, who was b. in 
1812, and d. Apr. 26, 1872. John was a prom- 
inent lawyer of his day, and rose to be Gov- 
ernor of this State. 



ERRKTA. 

The following family I have accidently skip- 
ped, and will insert it here. 

Paul Sanborn was a Revolutionary sol- 
dier, and lived at the head of the Conesus lake, 
whom he married 1 can not say. He had one 
son name Joseph, who m. 1st. Lany Buskirk, 
who d. in 1866. 2nd. Catherine VauCuren. 
His children were by the first wife namely : — 

Mary, dead; Malvina, m. Orren Hubbard. 
Mandania, single ; Manson, now west; Emma, 
dead; Montroville, m. Corintha VanPatten , 
and was drowned; Medora, m. George Tillo- 
son ; and Melvin, now West : Marquis, now 
dead ; Minervia, m. William Penning. 



FINIS 





SUPPLEMENTARY. 



When I was about to deliver my book to the Joinders, I discov- 
ered that I had accidentally over-looked one of the oldest families in the 
town by the name of Scott, which should have been given in the letter 
"S," in the Genealogical Chapter. Not wishing to omit them, 1 will 
add it by a .supplementary page here. 

George Scott was b. in 1779, and d. Dee. — , 1821 : m. Rebecca 
Bowers, who was b. in 1 777, and d. Mar. 9, 1862. She was the daugh- 
ter of John Bowers one of the original land owners, and at the time of 
his death, left her and a brother and three sisters a large amount of 
property in the town. She was very charitable, and gave land for the 
Conesus (Alger's) Cemetery and for several more in this section. 
They lived for a time west of the residence of the late Lewis Carroll, 
and she afterwards lived at Cuiiesus Center, and d. in .Mt. Morris. 

Their children were James, who died young: Ann Rebecca, m. 
Miles Crego, and il. Apr. 29, 185o, a. 4:> y's ; John, m. Catherine 
O'Neal, and lived and d. at St. Louis ; Elizabeth, m. Lester Crego, 
and d. Jan 18, IS + I, a. :!! y's ; Sainu(>l .lones was b. in l8Uo, and d. 
Mar. o, 1N77 ; m. Abigail Buckbre, who was b. in 1809. They have 
always resided in the town, except a few years in the State of Missouri. 
Their children are George d.-. Emeline : Mary (m. Calvin Rich and 
lives at Batavia, X. Y.; Ennna ; Henry who d. Oct. 14, 18<J5-. Helen 
who d. Nov. 14, 18(i4; Duaue ; Edward; Juliaette and Frankie wliu 
d. young. 




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